Gail Bates Harsh Punishment For Thieving Baby Better Page

Very young children are naturally egocentric. They do not yet fully grasp the concept that other people have feelings, rights, or ownership over objects. To a baby, if an object is within reach and sparks curiosity, it is theirs to explore.

Babies cannot connect a harsh delayed punishment with an impulsive action they took minutes or hours ago. gail bates harsh punishment for thieving baby better

Before applying discipline, it is vital to understand how young children perceive ownership. Expecting a toddler to respect property lines the same way an adult does is developmentally unrealistic. Very young children are naturally egocentric