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My first swat on the buttocks of our now 30-year-old son was when he was only 11 months old. He had gotten in to the habit of crying for attention when he was put to bed at night. I asked my wife to make absolutely sure that he was not sick, not colicky, not wet and not hungry. When it was determined by trips to his room that he was just wanting attention (something for which there was no usual deprivation), down came his diaper, and one swat with a plywood paddle (about the size and thickness of a ping-pong paddle) was applied. There was no more crying or fussing. He went off to sleep, and it was never necessary again...for that purpose.

The sin nature shows out in a child very early; earlier than 18 months of age. No the child cannot understand his nature at that age, but you do not wait to begin until a child can understand his nature. Outward restraint and discipline is necessary until there is the internal control of character, or better, the Holy Spirit of God.

Eighteen months of age is not too early to begin the use of the rod (Proverbs). Twelve months is not too young, provided that it can be properly ascertained that you are not treating sickness, hunger or a wet/dirty diaper with the rod.