I highly recommend that you use my expanded approach to tantrums that covers all the way from toddler through teenage years: CALM DOWN TIME. Please listen to: Parenting Decoded podcast #6: Tantrums and Calm Down TIme Or Read: my blog transcript of that podcast HERE. With that in mind, here's more info on the classic, Uh Oh Song. The "Uh-oh" Song is a Powerful technique set up by Love and Logic® Institute for setting limits with young children, typically from 18 months to 5 or 6 years depending on the maturity of the child. When children misbehave, parents need something they can do to respond, and the more consistent they are in their response, the faster it ingrains itself in the child. The "Uh-oh" was created to give parents one catchall response to all attacks on their peace and allows them to respond without anger or threats. Its tone should be devoid of any sarcasm or impatience and almost sung when used to keep any negative emotions out of it. It doesn't take long for even a toddler to get the message that when the "Uh-oh" Song is sung, WHATEVER behavior has just happened was not one Mommy or Daddy approved of and that loving intervention is on it's way. It is usually used in situations of great defiance or total meltdown in response to a situation but can be applied to more minor issues if the parent so chooses. Steps for the "Uh Oh song" (from pages 74-75 in Love and Logic® Magic for Early Childhood ~ Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years® Here's a video from Charles Fey at Love and Logic® that will help go over the steps: UH OH SONG What’s the Difference Between the UH OH SONG and a TIME OUT?
|