Creative Alternatives to Time-Out for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Training to help you guide toddlers’ and preschoolers’ behavior with positive alternatives to time-out.
Course Overview
This course applies to toddlers and preschoolers.
This course is designed for early childhood educators working with toddlers and preschoolers in center based or home based settings. It is also appropriate for program administrators seeking to support staff in implementing positive guidance practices.
In this practical and inspiring course, you will discover why traditional time out misses the mark and how positive, connection based strategies build self regulation and cooperation. You will learn to create nurturing environments, co regulate emotions and use “time in,” reset spaces and other creative alternatives that respect toddlers’ and preschoolers’ developmental needs.
This course provides hands on tools, downloadable handouts and suggested apps to help teachers coach emotional literacy and partner with families. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the skills and confidence to guide challenging behaviors while strengthening relationships.
This course is offered in our online format and includes audio narration in most course sections:
Acceptance information
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This course is accepted in the following states except as noted otherwise:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada - (approved to meet the Child Dev/Guidance and discipline training requirement)
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma - (approved for the Approaches to Challenging Behavior Stipend)
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee [awaiting approval]
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
For state-specific information, see our State Training pages.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course you will be able to:
- Describe the potential consequences of traditional timeout
- Recognize that challenging behaviors communicate underlying emotions and needs
- Identify developmentally appropriate alternatives to time-out
- Explain how preventive measures support children’s developing ability to manage their own emotions and behavior
Topics covered
- Reasons for shifting away from traditional time-out
- Common challenging behaviors and children’s underlying needs
- Intense or persistent behaviors
- Punitive discipline vs. positive guidance approaches
- Alternatives to time-out
- Time-in strategies
- Redirection techniques
- Trauma-sensitive calming spaces
- Sensory and repetitive activities (indoor & outdoor)
- Logical consequences
- Conflict resolution skills
- Preventive strategies to reduce challenging behavior
- Building positive relationships
- Modeling appropriate behaviors
- Catching children engaging in positive behaviors
- Providing real choices
- Establishing predictable schedules and routines
- Creating supportive transitions (including musical transitions)
- Establishing clear classroom rules
- Preparing environments proactively
- Working with families
- Consistency between home and school guidance
- Practical family engagement tools (notes, apps, guides)
- Teaching baby signs and calming activities
- Practical calming techniques (deep breathing, yoga, cozy corners)
- Self-care and educator strategies
- Maintaining emotional well-being for educators and children
What our students say about Creative Alternatives to Time-Out for Toddlers and Preschoolers
“The course went very smoothly. Registration was easy and navigating the course was seamless. This was a very interesting topic that really gave me a lot of ideas for my little daycare group. Thank you for the great services you provide!” - Ashley Brown, Emporia, Kansas
How Care Courses® Training Works: Details & Support
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Course Details & Support
Prerequisites
- Language: Fluent reading and writing in the language of instruction (English or Spanish).
- Technology: Internet access and a web-enabled device (computer, smartphone, or tablet).
Access & Completion Deadline
- This training expires 12 months from the date of purchase.
- To receive a certificate of completion, you must successfully finish the course before the expiration date.
Learning Methods
- Read instructor-written material
- Watch videos
- Listen to audio segments
Assessments
- Multiple-choice quizzes
- Written assignments
Requirements for CEUs and Clock Hours
To earn CEUs and Clock Hours for a course, you must:
- Agree to and acknowledge our Honor Code & Policy
- Follow all instructions for written assignments
- Demonstrate comprehension of the course content
- Achieve the passing score specified in your course.
Quizzes and Assessments
- If your score falls below the passing mark, a trainer will review your work. If needed, you may be asked to speak with a trainer.
- You will have a second chance to retake any quiz or assessment.
- If you do not pass on your second attempt, contact us at info@carecourses.com. We will review your course and follow up directly.
- All quizzes are open book; all answers are found in the course material.
Certificates
- Official Care Courses certificates of completion record your clock hours and CEUs.
- Certificates are available in the My Courses area of your account.
- Please note: All course and certificate dates and times are on Eastern Time.
Getting Started
- See how our training works on the training process page.
- Watch our course navigation video for a quick tour of the online portal.
- Free Unlimited Assistance
- We’re here to help with training, billing, and technical support questions.
- Phone: 1-800-685-7610 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern)
- Email: info@CareCourses.com or techsupport@CareCourses.com (days, evenings, and weekends)
About Care Courses
- Care Courses offers over 50 professional development courses and one non-credit training tutorial on the CDA process.
- All professional development courses include clock hours, CEUs, and an official online certificate of completion.
- (The free CDA tutorial does not offer clock hours or a certificate.)
Tuition & Bundles
- Course tuition entitles one person to receive the clock hours and CEUs granted upon successful completion.
- Bundle pricing covers tuition for all courses included in the bundle.
Policies & Requirements
