Can you tell off a 12 month old?

[blueberrychipmuffins]

Do they understand or is it unnecessary?
If they throw food or their plate on the floor for instance

They don't understand no but if you take away their plate every time they throw it then they can learn not to throw the plate if they want their food.
Consistency is key

No of course not. instead of being cross understand that the throwing isn’t to be bad or wilful
babies throw when they’re finished or completed with an item
When they want something else
A baby is too young to know the social norms of throwing. You introduce boundaries and react by saying ohh ohh surprised face and that’s it
Dont Tell off a baby
It’s not like training a dog

My 13 month old definitely understands no. She stops the undesirable behaviour and does this weird but cute sheepish look.

Babies aged 12 - 18 months to start to understand what no means, just like they can tell you no when they don't want something by shaking their head.

You don't "tell off" but just firmly say no and take away, but obv don't shout at them or anything cs they don't understand

Agree with above poster who says consistency is key

It’s fine to tell them off, it’s how they learn right from wrong. A telling off isn’t the same as shouting but it’s fine to say ‘Do not do that’ or to say ‘no’ to them.

I think you can gently correct/teach, but you have to be cognisant of their developmental stage. They’re motivated to explore and learn how the world works (like gravity exists! Or that mum will pass the spoon back if I throw it on the floor). So you’re not telling off as such, but teaching them - no we don’t throw the spoon on the floor - and you’ve got to be accepting of their level of understanding and that they’re not instantly going to say ‘oh okay then, I won’t do that anymore’.

Did you know discipline = to make disciples (followers) of people - so to discipline a child is really all about teaching them how to follow your lead. Teaching is an iterative process - layering up little bit by little bit.

You can say 'no' or 'ah-ah' when they do something you don't want them to.
You can show disapproval through your facial expressions.
You can remove them from the situation or remove the item from them.
You can distract or redirect them.
You can avoid the situation happening in the first place for example by giving them one piece of food at a time.

At 12 months they might not understand/care what 'no' means, but if you consistently stop them and show your disapproval for the behaviour, they learn what it means. A 12 month old won't know what no hitting or be gentle means, but if you consistently stop them hitting and demonstrate stroking instead, by 18 months they will.