Dealing with tantrums is an inevitable part of having a toddler. They come in all different shapes and sizes and can involve a range of emotions such as anger, frustration and even exhaustion. Tantrums are common in children aged one to three. This is due to the fact that young children are still at an early developmental stage where they are learning how to control their emotions and communicate. With them lacking the ability to clearly communicate their needs and feelings, it can lead to them feeling frustrated. Tantrums are usually a way for young children to express their emotions when they cannot understand what is going on around them. Here are some top tips from a Kindergarten in Earlsfield on how to deal with it.
Plan
One of the biggest pieces of advice you will ever hear is to stay as calm as possible when your child is having a tantrum. This gives your child a model of how to behave calmly. Have a clear plan of how you will react when your child has a tantrum in any situation. Concentrate on calming your child and not the surroundings.
Acceptance
It’s a hard pill to swallow, but you can’t control the way your child feels. The best thing to do when your child is struggling with their emotions is keeping them safe and helping them guide their behaviour so that tantrums happen less often. It is also important to remember that it takes time for things to set in and change. This phase of having tantrums could last a long time. Be sure to be patient throughout as it won’t last forever.
If you notice strangers around you giving dirty looks, ignore them. Your child is not having a tantrum on purpose, they are stuck in a situation where they don’t have the skills to cope with it. Show love and patience, you will get there eventually.