at what age do they understand no

janinekrause

and when and how did you really start using it?

I said no when she went to open a drawer- she just started crawling and we still have to child proof. so i cant leave her for  a second other than the pack n play. the third time today she did it, she literally turned around and smiled at me like she knew something was up, and then did it and laughed. i couldn't stop laughing. 

 

KathrynMD

she just started noticing my tone and she can tell I'm not 100% happy.  I actually yelled at her the other day w/o thinking about - I think she knocked over the cat's bowl - and it definitely got her attention.  She totally froze and turned aroudn to look at me.

EcoBaby

I say "no" to mine because that's just what comes out of my mouth. He tends to smile and continue what he's doing, so I hope he doesn't understand what it means. lol

janinekrause

funny. i noticed the same thing today. i say no and she looks at me funny while i shake my head. she stops doing what she is doing because she isnt sure what is going on. 

Kentuckychick_8201

I know plenty of people will argue with me on this one but I think DD is SLOWLY starting to understand No.  She definitely reacts to the word No now.  That doesn't mean she completely understands it but she is starting to.  When I first started saying No she wouldn't even turn her head or bat an eye.  Now most of the time she will stop what she is doing and look at me.  Then I just pull her away from what she is doing.  I only use it for really important things though, like keeping her away from electrical cords that I can't cover.  Otherwise I feel it will be meaningless when she is a little older and it really needs to be enforced.  I just started by saying  No sternly 2-3 times and then turn her away from the cords.

actgrl22

We have been using No for a couple of months, since DD started to crawl. However we have been using it much more strictly in probably the last few weeks because we think DD knows what we are saying.  She goes for the dog's food and water bowl and we say no and grab her and move her so she is catching on. Or if we say no while she is headed towards a dog toy or something she will stop and sit and sometimes not continue on her mission!

Sunndraggon

Carson can tell the difference in the tone and she knows its not the same as when mommy is loving on her. But usually when I tell her no it  just causes her to turn up the charm! Seriously, we have been trying to teach her "no" and "do nice" and "gentle" for a few months now. I just figure if these are things she hears they will have meaning sooner, and it does seem to be working now

katslep

DD will kiss when you ask for a kiss, so I know she is starting to understand what I say.  When she is doing something (like reaching for the dog food) I say something like "let's not touch the dog food".  If she is about to do something really dangerous (climb a stair without me) then I will say "NO" loudly.

I keep reading that you should save NO for extreme situations to grab their attention, so I guess that's what I'm doing.  Otherwise I just speak to her specifically.

janinekrause

thanks! everything i read seems to make it so much later than 8 months but i am starting to disagree and seems like you are too!

off to play with my LO. she is quite the exhausting little girl- she is home sick but usually at daycare. Now that she is mobile- wow.