learning the meaning of No.

[gemmaloup]

My daughter is almost 11 months ans finds the word No hilarious. She has started banging her hands on the TV etc and when we are saying "no. That's naughty." She laughs her head off and does it even more. At what age do little ones start learning the meaning of No? X

Not for a very long time!

Don't say "no" to her, as using no all the time means it becomes meaningless. Try and tell her what you want her to do instead, and physically redirect her, towards a similar activity. So with the TV example, I might say something like "dd, hands off the TV please" or similar, and then if she seems to be enjoying the banging I would try and redirect her to banging a drum, or something like that. You have to be really consistent and do it every time, and don't raise your voice or make too much fuss about it otherwise it will become a game.

She is too young yet- you will only get steamed up if you try.

At this age you need to divert and distract. She is curious and exploring as her mobility grows, so you need to move everything that you don;t want her to touch - pack fragile and gangerous stuff away.

Provide age appropriate activities for her so when she does start doing something you don't like steer her towards a different activity.

Only say it when you really mean it, when they are doing something dangerous.

Definitely go for distraction and telling her what you do want her to do, but don't expect her to remember for very long!

I agree with culturesucks, redirect to another similar activity. My little boy went through a throwing phase at around 1 year old, and would throw everything, when I realised 'No' wasn't working I tried the redirecting approach. I would say 'We don't throw.........., we throw balls!' And start throwing the soft balls from his ball pit! He seemed to get it really quickly :) he is now 18 months and the only time he ever throws anything other than a ball is if he is having a tantrum, thankfully this isn't too often!

For DS it was around 18 months when he understood it. He's now 3 and only selectively obeys it. It's a long haul one I'm afraid!

I make a uh uh noise rather than use no, as it doesn't sound like normal talking. I have a strict tone of voice and move her too. My dd understood at 11 months, and now won't touch the TV stand or stand up in the bath etc.

I think saying no/uh uh AND moving is important or there is no meaning behind the word.

I also have baby friendly drawers or spaces in every room so I can move her to somewhere she is allowed to play.