Time Out for Aggression
Children Ages 4-8 Years
Scenario #1: Child goes to Time Out.
Handling Misbehavior Part 2: Vignettes 5-8
Child hits Command Child goes to T.O. Child calm for last 2 minutes
“You hit. You (on chair for4-5
need to go to minutes)
Parent praises child’s
Parent ends T.0.& rengages
first positive behavior.
“Your T.O. is finished.
“That’s so friendly the
You can play with
way you’re sharing.”
your blocks”
Incredible Years Curriculum
Young Child Resists Going to Time Out
Children Ages 4-6 Years
Scenario #2: Child resists going to Time Out.
Child hits Command Child refuses to go to T.O. Parent gives 1 warning.
“You hit. You need “You can walk to T.O. like a big
to go to T.O.” boy (girl), or I’ll take you there.”
Parent praises child’s Parent ends T.0.
& re-engages Child goes to T.O.
first positive behavior.
“That’s so friendly the
child 5 minutes, last 2 min-
utes child is calm
way you’re sharing.” “Your T.O. is
finished. You can
play with your
blocks.”
Incredible Years Curriculum
“Go to T.O.”
Safe, no attention from anyone
Child Refuses to Stay inTime Out
1 minute per year of age up to
5 minutes
Scenario #3
Child comes out of Handling Misbehavior Part 2: Vignettes 2-4
T.O. before T.O. is over
Parent gives 1 warning.
“If you can’t stay in the T.O.
chair (place), you’ll go to the
T.O. room.”
Child stays in T.O. Child comes out of T.O.
4-5 minutes, last 2
minutes child is calm
Parent takes child
Parent ends T.0.& to backup room.
“You didn’t stay on the chair. You
Re-engages child need to go to the room.”
“Your T.O. is finished.”
Parent ends T.0. Parent praises child’s
Parent praises child’s Child stays in & Re-engages first positive behavior.
first positive behavior. T.O. room. child “That’s so friendly the
“That’s so friendly the 5 minutes, last 2 minutes “Your T.O. is fin- way you’re sharing.”
way you’re sharing.” child is calm ished.”
Incredible Years Curriculum
School Age Child Resists Going to Time
Children Ages 6-10
Scenario #2B: Child initially resists going to Time Out.
Handling Misbehavior Part 2: Vignettes 14-15
Child hits Command Child refuses to go to T.O. Parent gives warning.
“You hit. You need “That is one extra minute in
to go to T.O.” Time out now. That’s 6 min-
utes. ” (Add time up to 9 min if
child continues to refuse)
Parent praises child’s Parent ends T.0.& Child goes to T.O.
first positive behavior. re-engages child 5 minutes + extra time
“Your T.O. is earned for delaying, last
“That’s so friendly the
finished. Would 2 minutes child is calm
way you’re sharing.”
you like to make
cookies?”
Incredible Years Curriculum
School Age Child Continues to Resist Going to Time Out
Children Ages 6-10
Scenario #2C: Child continues to refuse to go to Time Out.
Child hits Command Child refuses to go to T.O. Parent gives warning.
“You hit. You “That is one extra minute in
need to go to Time out now.” (Add time up
to 9 min if child continues to
refuse and give warning)
Parent explains conse-
“That ‘s 10 minutes now, if you
don’t go to Time Out now you
will lose TV tonight.”
Parent ends
Parent praises child’s
T.0. Child goes to T.O.
first positive behavior.
& re-engages 5 minutes + extra time
“That’s so friendly the up to 10 min, last 2
way you’re sharing.” “Your T.O. is finished. minutes child is calm
Come see what I’ve
made for dessert.”” Note: if child does not go when consequence is explained,
parent follows through with consequence, Time Out
Incredible Years Curriculum
School Age Child RefusesTime Out
Children Ages 6-10
Scenario #2D: Child continues to refuse to go to Time Out.
Handling Misbehavior Part 2: Vignette 16
Child hits Command Child refuses to go to Parent gives warning.
“You hit. You “That is one extra minute in
need to go to Time out now.” (Add time up
to 9 min if child continues to
refuse and give warning)
Parent explains conse-
“That ‘s 10 minutes now, if you
don’t go to Time Out now you
will lose TV tonight.”
Parent follows
through with conse- Parent ends
Child refuses to go to T.O.
quence & ignores pro- power struggle
“You’ve lost
your TV privileges.”
Note: consequence (Time Out is
should be carried out
same day.
Incredible Years Curriculum
Time Out for Compliance Training
For oppositional children
Limit Setting Part 3: Vignettes 2-8
1
Transition
2 3
Command 5 seconds Complies
Warning Brief, clear, polite,
start-up command
Noncomplies
9
When T.O. is 5
over, repeat If…then…
command.
5 sec-
8 7 6
“Go to T.O.” Noncomplies Complies
Safe, no attention
from anyone
1 minute per year of
age up to 5 minutes
Praise
Child comes out of T.O.
B
Child refuses
A
before T.O. is over. to go to T.O.
B1 Older Child
Add 1 minute at a time, up to At 9 minutes, take
“If you can’t stay in the T.O.
9 minutes. away a privilege.
chair (place), you’ll go to the
T.O. room.”
B2 Younger Child
“You can walk to T.O. like a big
boy (girl), or I’ll take you there.”
Incredible Years Curriculum
