Temper Tantrums in Toddlers: How to Keep the Peace

Temper tantrums in toddlers can be difficult to tackl. It can be exhausting and frustrating. However, there’s nothing to be worried of, tantrums are a normal part of a child’s development. It’s so they can communicate their frustration and unhappiness over something.

These are incredibly common and usually start around the age of eighteen months. By the age of four, tantrums become less common in most children.
As a parent, here’s what you should know about temper tantrums and what you can do when your toddler throws one.

Why do Temper Tantrums Happen?

A temper tantrum is a surprise outburst of anger and frustration. Some kids throw tantrums more often than others. They happen because your toddler is feeling ignored, tired, uncomfortable, unhappy, or just hungry.

These are frequent because your toddler is just developing their language skills and can’t effectively communicate their frustration. But your toddler is also learning independence and wants to control their environment. This creates power struggles as they try to take matters in own hands.

What You can Do

It’s better if you can avoid a tantrum. Give your toddler enough attention and praise for positive behavior and give them choices and a feeling of autonomy like letting them pick the juice they want.

They have a short attention span, distract them with another activity. If your child asks for something, consider their request. And don’t push the limits of your tired child. Handle their tantrums carefully without hurting their feelings.

Accoriding to Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein, director of psychology and neuropsychology at John Hopkins University, its best to stay calm and ignore the tantrum. Attention can be used as a positive reinforcement. And when the child calms, they should be given some appreciation or praise for positive behavior. Labeling the emotion or expressing understanding of their emotions greatly helps.

It’s best to not give attention during the tantrum or anything that could encourage another tantrum later on.

If their tantrums get aggressive, time outs are effective. You can also discuss with your doctor or psychologist if you see it fit.

Here’s What You Shouldn’t Do

It’s important that you don’t invalidate your child’s emotions as to stunt emotional growth. Invalidating how big of a deal their tantrum is and that they shouldn’t be upset about it, won’t stop them.

Telling them how to feel will make them more upset and change their views on how emotions work. It’s important that they feel heard or understood and labeling their frustrations helps with that.

Your child’s early emotional development is important to us, that’s why The Whole Child Development Center’s day care center uses state-of-the-art curriculum and techniques to enhance their social and developmental skills. Our child development center understands the unique personality and learning of your child to help promote better social and cognitive development.

Visit our website or call now at 913-495-9797