Babies are naturally curious. So when your crawling baby or roving toddler heads toward an unacceptable or dangerous play object, calmly say "No" and either remove your child from the area or distract them with an appropriate activity.

  Time-outs can be effective discipline for toddlers. A child who has been hitting, biting, or throwing food, for example, should be told why the behavior is unacceptable and taken to a designated time-out area — a kitchen chair or bottom stair — for a minute or two to calm down (longer time-outs are not effective for toddlers).

  It's important to not spank or slap a baby. Babies are especially unlikely to be able to make any connection between their behavior and physical punishment. They will only feel the pain of the hit.

  And don't forget that kids learn by watching adults, particularly their parents. Make sure your behavior is role-model material.