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About Dr. Taher Kagalwala
Expertise
I come from India, practising since 23 years. Specially interested in infections, asthma, neonatology and parenting. I have authored a book on Parenting.It is called "Child Care: From Birth to Eighteen". It is available all over India. Feel free to contact me on drtaher@gmail.com. I have my professional site at Blogspot. Here, you can read good advice and also seek a professional online consultation for a small fee. Do check out http://drtaherforkids.blogspot.com.

Experience
Qualified Pediatrician practising since 23 years.
Visiting major hospitals such as Saifee Hospital and Masina Hospital in Mumbai, India.

Organizations
Indian Academy of Pediatrics, life member. Mumbai Branch of the I.A.P., life member. Genetics Chapter of the I.A.P.

Publications
Indian Pediatrics, Indian Journal of Pediatrics, Toxicology Abstracts.

Education/Credentials
M.D., D.C.H.

Awards and Honors
Gold Medallist in D.C.H., April, 1985
Highest aggregate marks in University of Mumbai, for M.D. ( Pediatrics ), October 1986.

You are here: Experts > Kids > Health for Kids > Pediatrics > 4yr old not behaving

Pediatrics - 4yr old not behaving

Expert: Dr. Taher Kagalwala - 10/29/2009

Question
I would like advice on how to best discipline my child. He is 4 and normally a good kid. He is in pre-k 5 days a week for 3hrs and behaves really well. The second he comes home, he is fighting with his sister (who is 3), or getting into things he is not supposed to and when I take it away, he hits me, or calls me names like idiot, shut up, etc. I have tried TIME OUT...I put him back in the chair over and over, with a timer...and it works for a little while but then thats it...We have tried taking toys away and more recently, the marbles in the jar for good behavior...when he gets 10 marbles, we go out and get a toy. When he is not behaving, we take marbles away...I am all out of ideas and luck and am just at rock bottom. I am stressed out everyday, headaches, aggravation, and just need someone to help me through. He has a door protector on his knob so he cannot get out of his room and when he acts up to where I can no longer take control, I just bring him to his room for a while. Not sure if this is the right thing to do or not? Thanks so much for any advice you can offer.

Answer
Dear Heather,

Believe me, he needs to get daily doses of all the "punishments" and you also need to increase the duration of the time-outs. Have you tried slapping his butt after laying him on your lap? This causes a few negative effects too, but embarrassment and humiliation might work where gentle punishments haven't. Or else, you could take him to a child psychologist/counsellor.

= drtaher

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