What are Toddler Tantrums?
Toddler tantrums are disruptive behavior or emotional outbursts that come after a child’s unmet desire. Temper tantrums occur when a child feels frustrated for not being able to get his or her way. Maybe he/ she is figuring out how to do something but cannot express their feelings. Tantrums in babies are a normal phenomenon that fades as the child grows. They prove the development of behavior and mood disorders. Tantrums can last for 2- 15 minutes, and if they go beyond, there may be a sign of a serious problem with the child. In such a case, consulting a pediatrician is advisable.
What age is a toddler?
Toddlers are all children aged between 1 to 3 years. Your child has moved from infancy and is now going to preschool.
What causes temper tantrums in toddlers?
A major cause of temper tantrums in toddlers is an inside conflict, they want to be independent but still want the attention of their parents. At age 1- 4, a child has not yet developed skills on how to deal with emotions, they also lack proper verbal skills to express their feelings. Other causes are;
- Tiredness
- Hunger
- Avoiding doing something like leaving the playground
- Wanting a particular item such as a toy or a phone.
- Transition. This is when the child changes their environment. Such as when moving from the house and going out. Always prepare your child and let them know you are stepping out.
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At what age should Toddler Tantrum Stop?
Tantrums occur mostly between the age of 1 and 4, with an average of one a day. They decrease when a child begins schooling. At school age, a child can express him/herself well.
How do I correct my toddler’s Tantrum?
Whenever a child throws some tantrums, Try these strategies;
- Distract the child. One can point at something engaging to distract the child from what they are doing or about to do.
- Remain Calm. As a parent, especially in a public place, one may feel embarrassed and want to beat up the child. Beating or threatening a toddler may worsen the situation. Stay calm and talk about the situation later when the child cools down. At this point, you can ask the child not to repeat such a mess in the future.
- One can hold the baby to avoid hurting themselves or remove any dangerous object close to them.
- Always let the child know that you understand their frustrations and teach them how to handle strong emotions.
- Be a good example to your child. Children always watch their parents. Know how to deal with your frustration for a child, not copy the negative behavior.
On the other hand, avoid;
- Hitting or kicking back the child. Hitting back a child in an outburst situation does not make the child fear but teaches the child that it is acceptable to hit someone if a parent is doing so. Instead, let the child know what they are doing is inappropriate. Try to praise the child when he remains calm. We all like recognition, and recognizing a specific good behavior promotes positive behavior in a child.
- Do not give in or change your mind. Giving in teaches a child that tantrums are the only way to get something. If you are in a safe place, at home, you can move away from the child.
Should I ignore toddler tantrums or punish my baby for them?
Throwing tantrums does not tell how bad your parenting style is. You are not a bad parent when your baby throws a tantrum in public. It is about the personality of the child as well as the situation. It is okay to ignore the tantrum for the child to know it is unacceptable. But ensure that when the child comes down, you talk to them about the situation. When calm, the child will understand what is expected of them and avoid more outbursts later. Furthermore, it’s just a stage that the child will outgrow.
When should I visit a Pediatrician about Toddler Tantrums?
If the child is unable to breathe during a tantrum
If the child hurts themselves during a tantrum
If throwing tantrums go beyond age 4 and, in this case, gets worse.
If you feel frustrated and do not know how to handle the situation.