Time out is an effective and safe method to use when disciplining children. Time out involves placing a child in a chair in the corner of a room, (e.g., living room, kitchen, dinning room, hallway) for a period of time.

The placement of the chair should be such that the parent can easily monitor the child during the time out period. The chair should be stable and not able to turn or rock. A child should never be placed in a closet, bathroom or his or her bedroom.

The amount of time the child is to remain in time out should be a minimum of one minute per year of the child’s age, up to a maximum of two minutes per year of the child’s age. A five-year-old placed in time out would therefore spend a minimum of five minutes to a maximum of ten minutes in time out. The one minute per year of the child’s age would be used for less serious offenses while the two minute per year of the child’s age would be used for more serious offenses. 

During the time out period, the child is not allowed to talk, to be talked to, play, watch TV or participate in any family activity that may be going on at the time.

Once time out is over, the child must agree to obey the command given to him prior to the time out. If the disobedience cannot be corrected such as in the case of the child hitting another person, the child must agree to not hit anyone again before leaving time out. Failure on the child’s part to agree with the parent’s command will result in an extended time out period.

Once placed in time out, the child should not be taken out until the time is up. A favorite method children use to try and avoid time out is to say they need to go to the bathroom.  The child should not be allowed to go to the bathroom. If the child does wet his or her clothing during time out, the child should remain in time out. Once time out is over the child changes clothes and then cleans up the time out area.

What makes time out effective is what the child misses during time out. No effort should be made to make up for what the child misses during the time spent in time out.

Proper use of time out will teach a child that there are consequences for his or her actions. 

Frank Kello, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

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Last modified: 08/19/08