one year old not listening to "no"

[Deleted User] · May 2013

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memali26 · May 2013

He's 1. He understands no, but is testing boundaries, which is a perfectly normal stage at this age. Keep redirecting and distracting, eventually he'll move on to testing something else.

ktpaladino · May 2013

I'm willing to bet he knows exactly what it means. My LO does the same thing. He used to get upset at "no" but now when he hears it, he smiles or laughs and repeats the behavior just to see what my reaction is going to be. Around this age they really start testing their limits. Just try to keep getting the point across as best as you can. There's not really much you can do at this age because they don't fully understand consequences of actions, so punishments and/or time-outs may or may not work. Right now, positive reinforcement when he does listen or does something good has been working well for us.

Mustardseed2007 · May 2013

well...he's 1. He probably doesn't understand yet. I would continue to intervene and maybe say "No, danger, ouch!" and just be consistent with that. Eventually he'll quit smiling at you and throw a tantrum when you say no, like mine does : )

boogerbearoriginal · May 2013

At 1, kids don't really understand No = stop doing that but will take notice of the change in voice. Toddlers/preschoolers are all about testing boundaries. So there will be a lot of repetitive redirecting.

FWIW, I try to save "no" for big things - about to run into the street so that it packs more of a punch. Plus I hate feeling like I spend all day telling him no.

For things like stove, we taught him early on "hot" and I actually took his hand and let him feel the outside of the oven when it was on so hot had meaning without hurting him. And I think explaining more is better than just saying no. So, explain "we can't play with the oven it's hot and you could get hurt. Let's go play with your dolls" or whatever. And repeat. Again and again lol. Eventually they get that you will not give in and will move on. Although it can take a long time and if you even let them do something once it draws out the process.

Basically consistency is key. If you don't want LO to do something, you have to redirect them over and over and over.

lindslalala · May 2013

Haha this is my life right now too!

DS understands: get your ball, let's take a tubby, time to brush teeth, clean up, put your shoes away, etc, etc...but he definitely has selective hearing when it comes to the word "no". I don't buy that he doesn't understand what it means considering he understands all of the above things, he's just testing me and his boundaries.

He is also obsessed with the stove. I warn him a couple times and remove him from the kitchen, but if he won't stop I put him in the pack and play for a minute or until I'm done cooking. I don't think of it as a timeout. The stove is a safety concern and our house is set up so I can't gate him out of the kitchen so I do what I have to do.

gracefulruby33 · May 2013

He understands. He is being independent and trying out his boundaries. Redirect, redirect, redirect. It is frustrating, but be consistent. Tell him why he isn't supposed to touch the oven. I make it a point to not just say "no" but WHY am I saying no.