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. 2022 May 23;14(2):244-253.
doi: 10.3390/pediatric14020032.

Is It Time for "Time-In"?: A Pilot Test of the Child-Rearing Technique

George W Holden  1 , Tricia Gower  1 , Sharyl E Wee  1 , Rachel Gaspar  1 , Rose Ashraf  2   3
Affiliations

Is It Time for "Time-In"?: A Pilot Test of the Child-Rearing Technique

George W Holden et al. Pediatr Rep. .

Abstract

Time-out, a mainstay of non-punitive discipline for over 60 years, has been criticized for isolating and distancing children from others. An alternative technique, one promoted by advocates of positive parenting practices, is labeled "time-in". This procedure is intended to help the child connect to the parent, communicate their feelings, and learn how to self-regulate. Although the technique has been advocated in the positive parenting literature since at least the 1990s, there are few empirical studies evaluating it. This pilot mixed-models study was designed as an initial test to determine whether mothers, following a brief training, would use the procedure over a two-week period, and how they would view it. Based on the daily reports as well as post-intervention interview of a small sample of mothers, the technique was evaluated as easy to use and effective. This study provides initial information about mothers' use of the technique and sets the stage for a comprehensive set of studies to rigorously test and evaluate the technique.

Keywords: child discipline; non-punitive discipline; positive discipline; positive parenting; time-in; time-out.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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