How To Handle Temper Tantrums In Toddlers

May 15, 2019

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Temper tantrums in toddlers and preschoolers, are extremely common. The best possible way, you can deal with it is to stay calm and ignore the child’s behavior. They are part of a child’s development. Tantrums are feelings, which children show, when they are upset or frustrated.

Temper Tantrums in Toddlers:

Temper tantrums come in all shapes and sizes. Tantrums may take in different forms like: crying, screaming, falling down, hitting, kicking, stomping, throwing things, and in some cases, children hold their breath, vomit, break things or get aggressive as part of a tantrum. These tantrums also involve expressions of anger, frustration and disorganized behavior.

Causes of temper tantrums in toddlers are:

Temper tantrums can be caused due to temperament-which is generally shown how emotional children become, when they feel frustrated. Children even show tantrums due to stress, hunger, tiredness and over stimulation. And in some cases, where children just cannot handle the situation, like, when an older kid takes away his/her toy. Any situation that involves a change in behavior, may lead to a tantrum.

Tantrums can be seen particularly in kids who are hyperactive, moody, who do not adjust to new environments. Temper tantrums in toddlers, are a simple way of getting out their frustration and tolerance limits.

How to deal with temper tantrums in toddlers:

Preventing tantrums from happening in the first place, can help to deal with these temper tantrums in toddlers. Few of the ideas that may help are:

Give the child whatever he wants. This could be a better way to stop a temper tantrum. Your child, may anyhow go into tantrum mode, whenever he/she wants something.
You need to keep your temper in control, because getting angry will make the situation worse and harder for both of you. Instead, the best way could be, to take a deep breath, and gain control over your emotions. Keep your voice at a calm voice level, but firmly let him know that tantrums are not acceptable behavior.
Tired, hungry and over stimulated children are more likely to throw tantrums, so a better way to avoid tantrums is to reduce their stress.
Tantrums in children can be dealt, by distracting a child or a change of a particular place may help. If you see your child is hitting or kicking someone, hold him/her until they calm down.
Wait for the tantrum to stop. Your child will not be in a mood to listen, once a temper tantrum is in full swing. Neither any reasoning nor distraction will help him. Stay calm and ignore the behavior, until it stops. If your child still does not calm down, in spite of your attention, do not give up. Once your child realizes that her tantrum is not showing any effect, she will stop screaming.
If your child’s temper tantrum is out of control, hold tightly to soothe them down.
Verbally praise your child, when she manages her frustration well, as giving rewards could only prove to your little one that the tantrum was effective.

How to prevent temper tantrums in toddlers:

Preventing temper tantrums, is a better way before it starts. Below are a few tips to prevent temper tantrums in toddlers.

The best possible way, is to avoid a situation, in which tantrums are likely to arise, like, tiredness, going shopping, mealtimes. Planning ways to avoid these situations, or making them less stressful for your child can help prevent temper tantrums.
Try to keep your daily routines regularly, and if you are changing any activity, tell your child in advance, as communication with your toddler is important.
Let your child take his/her favorite toy with them, when you are on a short journey or vacation, to keep them occupied.
Make sure, she gets a good rest and feed her well, before you go out.
Keep away the food temptations like candy bars or chocolates, close to dinner time, and give your child a little bit of control. Allow her to make a few choices of her own like, which book to get when she is in the car or what she wants for lunch. These little choices will make your child feel, that she has some least control over her own life.
You can pick up your own battle, which you want to choose. Would you listen to her scream for another half an hour or let her watch television for another extra 15 minutes?
When your child’s face starts turning red, offer him a book or go on for a walk. Additionally, you can make a funny face, crack a joke(R) or humor, that could help distract his temper.