Introduction
In child care, temper tantrums are very common, especially among groups of toddlers. Typically, children have temper tantrums due to frustration. In 18 to 60-month-old children, tantrums occur on average once a day and last an average of three minutes. However, atypical tantrums can be a presenting symptom of behavioral and psychiatric illnesses, despite the fact that the majority of toddler temper tantrums are typical and part of normal toddler behavior. Understanding why tantrums occur and having rapid solutions for dealing with and preventing them will maintain a good and peaceful relationship and help the child with better physical and mental growth.
What Are Temper Tantrums?
Temper tantrums are a way for young children to express strong feelings before they are old enough to do so in a socially acceptable manner. Most temper tantrums only happen when a parent is around. They are a way for a child to talk about how he or she feels. Parents can learn from their child's temper tantrum if they try to figure out what caused it. Usually, temper tantrums start when a child is about one year old. They last until the age of two or three. As a child learns to talk more about what they want and need, tantrums happen less often.
What Are the Ways That a Child Shows Temper Tantrums?
There are many different kinds of temper tantrums. When a child "loses it," they may show a lot of anger, frustration, and disorganized behavior. One might see the child scream, tense up, arch their back, kick, fall, flail around, or run away. Some kids hold their breath during a tantrum, throw up, break things, or hurt themselves or others.
What Are the Causes for Temper Tantrums in a Child?
Young children's social, emotional, and linguistic development has yet to reach their full potential. They are learning that their actions affect the people around them. Therefore, throwing tantrums is one of the ways that young children express and control their feelings, as well as one of the ways that they attempt to understand or change the world around them. Some of the causes for a child to throw temper tantrums are:
-
They cannot consistently articulate their wants and feelings, including the desire to accomplish things for themselves, which can lead to feelings of frustration on their part.
-
When a child is hungry, exhausted, or ill.
-
Children may be unable to cope with intense feelings such as worry, fear, embarrassment, and wrath, which will create tantrums.
-
When they are in a stressful environment.
How to Deal With Temper Tantrums in Children?
These are some strategies to deal with temper tantrums:
-
When a child is having a tantrum, try to remain calm. When a youngster has a temper tantrum, yelling at them makes it last longer and get more intense. Controlling the feelings in front of youngsters is a great way to set a good example.
-
Try to divert the child's attention. Try to shift the focus of the child to something else. Remove the youngster from the potentially hazardous activity, such as climbing on the tables, and give him another toy to play with. Due to the fact that toddlers have such short attention spans, this strategy is particularly effective when used with them.
-
Take care of the kid. It is sometimes important to hold a toddler who is "out of control" in a calm manner to prevent the child from hurting himself or another person.
-
Take the child away from the risky position. To help the child calm down, remove them from the vicinity of any other children and transport them to a private, secluded area.
-
It is best not to argue with a child who is screaming. It does not work. Maintain one’s presence in the area until the kid has calmed down. After that, one can continue talking about the issue or other things.
How to Prevent Tantrums?
Despite the fact that temper tantrums are sometimes unavoidable, some measures can assist in preventing them:
-
Utilize the Personality of the Youngster: For many children, maintaining a routine of regular mealtimes, nap times, and bedtimes gives them a sense of what to expect at specific points throughout the day, which makes them feel more comfortable and reassured. Nonetheless, some children thrive on spontaneity; therefore, if the youngster appears overwhelmed by schedules, try to be a little more flexible.
-
Protection: Protect against the "dreadful four." Hunger, exhaustion, monotony, and overstimulation, to be specific. This implies one should avoid overscheduling or booking a lengthy outing (such as grocery shopping) before nap time. And be sure to leave the house when the toddler's stomach is full, along with healthy snacks and a little toy or book they enjoy.
-
Reduce the Frequency of “No”: This involves childproofing one’s home (so the parents are not continually yelling, "No, don't touch anything" and establishing specific limits.
-
Offering Choices: Offer choices (but only a few) whenever possible. A toddler feels more in control when he or she is able to make simple decisions (for example, ask for the child’s choice of breakfast).
-
Always Be Clear: Do not say "maybe." As "maybe" is equivalent to "yes" in a toddler's language. Instead, answer "yes" or "no" or propose a compromise.
When Should One Get Medical Help in Case of Temper Tantrums?
If the child exhibits the following symptoms of temper tantrums:
-
They continue or worsen after the age of four.
-
The child injures herself or others during a tantrum or causes property damage.
-
The child holds their breath throughout an outburst (and especially if they faint).
-
The youngster suffers from headaches, abdominal pain, and nervousness.
-
The parent feels upset and uncertain about how to manage the tantrums safely.
Conclusion
Dealing with the toddler's temper outbursts can be challenging, to say the least. Keep in mind that they are also problematic for the child. Most of the time, the child is simply working through their feelings and is at a loss for other behavior to exhibit when they are unhappy. Therefore, when the child throws a tantrum, rather than perceiving it as a behavior problem, try to look at it as an opportunity and a moment when the child needs additional care.
