Help me with natural consequences

[ps4624]

I believe in natural consequences, but am stumped how to apply them to a toddler (21 months). Natural consequences make sense to me when applied to an older child (ride your bike in the street? Bike goes away) but how do you apply it to a curious toddler? We have a continued struggle with the blinds in the kitchen - she wants to touch them, and we don't want her to. What's the consequence if she does? Help!

Sorry if this is rushed... trying to get this typed while she's entertained!

[paxye]

I think you are talking about logical or imposed consequences instead of natural consequences.

Natural consequences would be: you don't want to put your coat on, you will be cold.The natural consequence of touching the blinds, might be that the blinds fall. They might not either.

She is still small, I would use distraction at that age, bring her away from them when she plays with them, give her an alternative to play with, take them down if I really didn't want her to play with them etc...

[phathui5]

Natural consequences are consequences that you don't have to apply, because they happen on their own.

With the blinds, could you pull them up so that she can't reach them?

[redvlagrl]

In terms of imposed consequences, my DD was able to "get it" at that age with a warning.

For example she must hold my hand and walk properly whenever we are near a road of any sort. If she squirmed, I would tell her either hold my hand or be carried. If she squirmed again I would ask "do you want me to carry you?". This always works and she would then walk properly. The 'reminders' (well, thinly velied threats) seem to be effective.

[LynnS6]

Logical consequences = imposed consequences that are related to what you're trying to teach (e.g., lose the bike if you ride in the road without permission).

Natural consequences = consequences that follow from the action (e.g., getting hit by a car if you ride your bike in the road without paying attention).

However, 21 months is a little young for the cause-effect of that kind of thing to take place. So, prevention is your best bet. How can you get the blinds away from her? You won't have to take them away for ever, but you may need to take them down, keep them up or do something else. If that's not an option, then I would suggest: 1. Removing her to another room each and every time she touches them. You will spend 2 days doing nothing else until it sticks. Or 2. helping her explore the blinds in a safe way so she gets it out of her system.