Toddlers understand easy commands, empathy, and cause and effect, so you can now employ these concepts when you discipline. If your child grabs a crayon from his friend, for example, you can say, "We don't grab toys. Taking Billy's crayon hurts his feelings," and then give him a similar crayon to play with.

At what age do babies understand discipline?

Discipline in its simplest forms can start as soon as 8 months of age. You will know it is time when your once powerless little baby repeatedly slaps your face or pulls off your glasses…and laughs hysterically.

Can a 1 year old understand discipline?

"Children this age don't have the self-control to inhibit a behavior like this," Lerner says. "Just keep explaining the rules, and by age 2 1/2 to 3, he'll begin to understand them and be better able to act on them."