Has your child hit those terrible 2’s? Maybe they started earlier than everyone warned you about…? either way… they are here and here are tips on how to deal with toddler tantrums.
When things don’t quite go their way, the volcano gets ready to erupt all because they don’t know how to cope with their emotions!
At this age it’s all about frustration, they don’t get what they want, when they want and you are not responding to their ever growing list of needs fast enough. Then the tantrum that starts right then and there in the isle of Woolworths…. You can feel your face is flushed and you don’t know what to do, what should you do…?
It’s usually the little things you might find, the cheese stick broke in half when you were unwrapping it, they want cereal for dinner, they didn’t want the blue plate, they wanted the green one or they wanted to put the toothpaste on their brush by themselves. Add some fatigue from a long day or hunger and you have recipe for disaster.
It’s important to understand that these “little things” matter to your little ones, so stop telling them it doesn’t matter or they are being silly.
Here are some positive parenting solutions for dealing and working with your toddler tantrums.
Showing understanding of why they are getting so worked up is half the battle. Let them have it; you’re right, the blue plate isn’t the right plate, what was I thinking, green it is! Or maybe that little bit of independence is good for them, let them squeeze out half the toothpaste onto their brush, they are learning how to do it after all.
There are times however where you cannot give them what they want. What’s important to remember is keep your calm, take a deep breath and let them know that tantrums are not acceptable behaviour. Ignore the tantrum, they are screaming for attention, hoping they will get that lollipop. As soon as they realise you will not give in, the screaming will stop.
And don’t worry about other people staring if you are in public, if they have had kids, they’ve been there, if they haven’t, their time will come.
If your child is to the point of being out of control, pick them up and hold them tight, tell them calmly that you love them but you will not give them what they want. Try to remove them from the situation to give them time to calm down.
Try not to give time out as they haven’t done anything wrong, they simply don’t know how to express what they want so they go to extreme measures to get their point across.
* Kicking
* Punching
* Pinching
* Turning purple from holding their breath
* Screaming
* Crying
* Hitting
* Throwing things
Know and understand your child’s ‘meltdown’ actions & moments then use these 10 Meltdown prevention tactics:
These positive parenting solutions are not guaranteed to stop the toddler tantrums, but they will help you and give you some tools& techniques to use the next time your toddler has a tantrum.
Helen Korch, Family Relations & Enrolments Coordinator – Kids Club Early Childhood Learning Centres
Kids Club Early Learning Centres offer quality Six Star Child care in Sydney & ACT. With stimulating play spaces, child-led learning, healthy nutrition & commercial onsite chefs and of course the most passionate and experienced educators, the best start truly does begin at Kids Club.
Check by yourself what is best for your little one: Book a Tour of one of our award-winning centres.