I felt the need to respond to this for other parents who might be lurking.
safemom said:
My son also just learned to unlatch the buckle on his carseat and I came to this forum looking for practical solutions to the problem. I'm just rolling my eyes at all the "behavior modification" advice and no real working ideas. My son is not even 2 yet. He doesn't care if the car is going or not. He doesn't understand the concept of time or future rewards. McDonalds means nothing to him. I can't just leave him at home because I don't always have someone to leave him with. And in the real world I can't stop every 3 minutes on the freeway because he unbuckles himself. It's impractical, unsafe and ridiculous advice. I understand that children need discipline. I have a college degree in education and have taken several psychology courses. I also have a daughter with whom I have never had this problem. So, I can tell all of you with obedient angels for children that not all kids are the same. Personally, I'm thinking of sewing some kind of cover for the buckle so he can't see where the red button is. Maybe that will slow him down until he starts understanding the safety issue.
Whoa, hold on there a second. I am currently a preschool teacher, and also certified to teach in the public schools. I've been teaching for about 15 years. I am also a mother to at least one child with a fully diagnosed serious mental illness, for which she takes medication on a daily basis. I am the last person to say that all kids are the same and believe me, my kids are NOT obedient angels...my dd is especially puzzling at times and every day I count to ten and remind myself of her developmental level.
Stopping on the freeway is impractical and unsafe but there are other roads besides the freeway. And although under 2 is on the young side for this kind of behaviour modification, it can be done, although you might have to make it on a smaller scale. I would expect you to use your imagination, but as an example, you can take your child on a trip to see a favorite friend. The trip can be 5 minutes. You may have to stop 16 times in those 5 minutes but if you have that favorite friend make a BIG DEAL to the child about what a good thing it was that s/he stayed buckled (because the child should still be buckled upon arrival, or you should be stopped and rebuckling), it will help.
Heck, you can take a package of small treats along, like those horrible sugary "fruit snacks" and a kitchen timer...and reward with a fruit snack for every minute s/he stays buckled...maybe something like that will help you work up to the staying buckled for 5 minutes trip...
A good way to talk to under 2's is "when...then" sentences. They are simple and easily understood once your child learns the convention. You can start with them at anytime and then when you NEED them to understand in the car, you have that going for you.
"WHEN you stay buckled, THEN we will get to Aunt Patty's house." Be very matter of fact and eliminate the negatives from your vocbulary. Do not say, "when you unbuckle, we can't go." Keep it positive, keep it consistent, and most of all, keep your patience and sound very matter of fact, instead of exasperated. You can practice when-then in your home. "WHEN you pick up the toys, THEN you can read a book with Daddy." "WHEN you are all done whining, THEN I will get your juice."
Baby steps. This may not be solved in one trip with younger children.
There are lots and lots of good tips here, and as with everything else, YMMV.