Naughty Step

[MMG]

i was wondering whether you think 3 year olds are to old for the naughty step or not!!!! i have used this for my ds since he was 18mnths....he will be 3 in may and wondered whether its best to carry on....we don`t really have to use it that often but there can be times when its frequently visited...we have found it works well. If for example he has done some naughty like hitting, i give him one chance to stop, if he does it again he goes to the naughty step, then i talk to him about whey he is on the naughty step, but recently he has started to role play with his toys and i hear him putting his toys on the naughty step, he will say to me - the truck broke my train track, and puts the truck on the step and tells him off....what do you think??? Is this normal?

i use the naughty bench with my 2.3 ds and he understands it perfectly - i must say, hardly ever need to use it, but like you, if he kicks or hits...usually a warning is fine when playing. he also role plays with his cars and trains - think thats normal as they are role playing their experiences (?!) though could be wrong! generally i feel if it ain't broke don't fix it! (if that makes sense)

Nope don't think they are too old. My ds is just 3 and we have a naughty corner - don't have to use it very often but he knows he's overstepped the mark when he goes in it. As for the role playing, I think that is all normal, they really start to copy you at this age and that's all he is doing. At least he doesn't say 'I'm not havin' it mummy, I'm not happy with you' like my ds If your ds was swearing at his truck and giving it a whack then you'd need to be worried!

3 is still a perfect age for naughty step. If you aren't using it very often then its doing it's job IMO.
My DS will tell his 16mth old brother to 'go and sit on the mat for 3 minutes' when he is being 'naughty'! All completely healthy role play, I think.

I agree completely normal. Just the children's way of exploring a different role, in this case, the role of the adult doing the sending to the step and also exploring imitation and language. If the step is still working for you, then I would continue on with it, until it stops to suit your child's needs.

Thanks for the comments, all seems ok then