Parents have to deal with a lot of things when raising their young ones. kids temper tantrums are a common thing, and they can be very frustrating, especially in public. What is a temper tantrum? It is a manner in which young children let out their emotions before they can acceptably express themselves. This is usually characterized by an outburst of emotions like frustration, anger, and disappointment. Toddlers throwing tantrums often cry, scream, shout, hit the parents, bite, roll down on the ground, and throw several things around. It is a sight most parents don’t like.
Types of kids temper tantrums :
Temper tantrums are of two types; emotional and non-emotional meltdowns. Emotional outbursts are usually as a result of sensory overload while kids throwing tantrums have a purpose. Tantrums will stop when a toddler gets what they want or realize they will not get what they are asking for. It is different in emotional meltdowns that occur when the child is overwhelmed.
Having more decisions to make or when there is too much for the toddler’s brain to process can result in an emotional meltdown. Emotional meltdowns can proceed even after a child gets what he or she wants. This is because most kids going through this are not sure of what they want. It can end when they wear out or find a quiet environment that will not overwhelm them with sensory information.
Causes of kids temper tantrums :
kids Temper tantrums are common among children aged 2 to 4 years. Severe tantrums in 2-year-olds are a common thing. It is usually referred to as the terrible twos. This happens because toddlers in that particular age bracket are usually unable to reason or manipulate their parents. Three to four-year-old tantrums are also frequent because children are also unable to control their temper at this age.
Temper Tantrums in 2-Year-Old Kids :
Most children start throwing tantrums when they reach two years. That is why it is referred to as the terrible twos. At this age, toddlers begin to learn a lot of things. This is usually triggered by brain development. Most babies entering two years old learn to talk, walk, and even crawl a lot. At this age, most toddlers seek independence to do certain things like moving around, which they can’t find. That is why they will start throwing tantrums.
kids temper tantrums in childhood :
These tantrums are also common in older kids. They usually start between the ages of 18 months to 4 years. Some parents may also face 15 months old tantrums, which is common in kids who experience fast growth.
Four-year-old outbursts are frequent among toddlers who have not been taught how to handle their emotions. What you should understand is that kids throwing tantrums are not spoilt. It is just part of their development stage. You should identify proper strategies to handle your toddler during such a scenario.
Several proven ways can help you deal with toddler temper. They include:
Distractions and Alternatives :
It is best to look for proper distractions or choices that will help them deal with a toddler with temper issues. A perfect example is when your child doesn’t want to make certain meals. You can convince them to start with something simple that is part of the meal and later finish up the rest. It is a better option than forcing them to eat, which will only result in more problems. Distractions tend to excite your child’s brain. This is ideal if you want to deal with severe temper tantrums in 2-year-olds.
Embrace Your Child :
Embracing your child is another ideal way to soothe them and keep them from throwing tantrums. It is suitable for children who are going through an emotional meltdown. This will help to restore some hormonal balance in them. Embracing your child will make him or her feel relaxed by regulating emotions. You should make sure you are calm before doing all that.
Teach Your Child Different Forms of Expression :
The other ideal way to deal with a child throwing tantrums is by teaching one various forms of expression. At two years, your child can quickly learn some things from you. You can teach them some of the best ways to express themselves when in need of something. Your child will learn how to express himself or herself when facing particular challenges. This will help reduce temper tantrums because they will always be free to ask for whatever they need.
Mistakes on Handling a Toddler Tantrum :
There are several mistakes you may make when dealing with a toddler temper that will do nothing but worsen the situation. Here are some you should avoid.
Scolding Your Toddler :
Scolding a toddler with temper is more like adding gasoline to fire. You will only worsen the situation. The best thing you can do as a parent is to identify the root cause of the situation. This will help you narrow down to the two common types of tantrums most children face.
It could be an emotional meltdown or just an ordinary temper. Identifying the root cause will help you know the right procedures to follow when dealing with the situation. You can opt for methods that will calm them down if it’s due to an emotional meltdown.
Punishing Your Toddler :
Most parents usually punish their kids whenever they start acting up. Screaming tantrums can be irritating, especially in public, and most parents view disciplining their children as the right option to deal with the whole situation.
At times, toddlers will start acting up because of something they genuinely need. Punishing them will only result in more emotional harm. It would be best to take your time to understand your child and whether their cry is genuine. This will help you come up with proper procedures for handling the whole situation. It is ideal for children going through an emotional meltdown.
Complying :
The other mistake you can make when dealing with a child with temper tantrums is giving in to their demand. Most parents do this because of desperation. Screaming tantrums are so annoying, and that is why most parents will give in to a toddler’s needs to stop the screaming. This works well, but the ugly side of it is that your toddler will always take advantage of it by throwing more tantrums when they need something. This is because they are sure you will give in to their demands.
Bribing Your Toddler :
Some parents find bribing as a better way to deal with babies throwing tantrums. They will bribe their toddler with the little things they like. It could be candy, ice cream, or even promising them a new gift. for more, I advise you to read this detailed article: How to Handle Tantrums and Meltdowns.
Your toddler will always take advantage of you because they know you are going to bribe them. He or she will not be afraid to throw tantrums because of what to expect. You should not bribe your child in any way if you don’t want it to be a continuous process. Understand your child better to identify the right way to deal with such tantrums.
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