We also use the naughty corner sparingly, mostly when tantrums arise. We ask (tell) the kids to sit in the corner for X minutes and think about thier actions behaviour. Removal from the corner is a level conversation discussing what they did wrong, what they’d do to correct it, an apology to the victim/for the action and lots of hugs.
In the main though it serves as a verbal deterrent. For example, for slapping KJ01, KJ02 would be told it was not good to slap her brother, told it was a naughty action and she was to apologise to her brother which in the main she would. We’d also say that if she did it again she’d recieve her minutes on the naughty step. Our naughty step is on the bottom stairs in the middle of the house so although we don’t engage with them whilst they are there (and the telly is not in line of sight) we are in sight and around them all of the time.
Most of the time we never get there though. I’d like to think our kids are pretty polite and responsible as kids go, and most of the “naughty” actions are an outcome of natural kidology – for example accidentally kicking a ball against a window outside – which although deserves explanatory warning I believe in not limiting kids ability to play and have fun.
Phil40 makes some good points – it’s about them learning boundarys and responsibility progressively in accordance with thier age, but feeling lived and valued and able to have fun. As he says none of us are perfect parents, we can but try!