I finally settled on the bottom step, because I have one both inside and outside. It's just a chill-spot. Whether it's a temper tantrum, yelling at me, hitting someone, fighting, or whatever, I just take their hand gently, and say "I'd like you sit here a few minutes and calm down, When you are ready to be kind (or whatever applies), you can come back and play with your friends"

Then I walk away, and they usually sit there less than a minute. No attention...no fun.

I don't call it a "time-out" or determine the length of time. Our state licensing says we can't use time-outs for children under 3. Might as well forget it then-it's too late to introduce that "technique".

This is working very well for the group I have now. DCB was mad about something he couldn't have earlier, and I sat him down, but let him keep the bunny he was holding. I try to keep in non-confrontational and matter-of-fact, not being punitive. Occasionally, one of the kids even goes there by themselves!

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