Techniques for Managing Temper Tantrums

Introduction

Children between the ages of one and three frequently experiences temper tantrums, which can take any form or magnitude. Set an example on how to handle stress. For example, “I’m worried that we’ll be late due to traffic.” If I take a few deep breaths, I can keep myself cool.

Screaming, limb hardness, an arched back, kicking, falling, thrashing, or racing away are examples of possible reactions. When experiencing a tantrum, kids have been known to gag, throw up, break items, hurt themselves, or hurt other people.

This is due to the early stages of a young child’s linguistic, social, and emotional development. If they are unable to communicate their wants, feelings, or even their desire to discover who they are, they may get agitated. They are also beginning to understand how their behaviors affect other individuals. Thus, tantrums are an early toddler’s way of controlling and expressing their emotions as well as their attempt to understand or alter their environment.

Kids at a certain age can still act out. This can be the case if they are still learning appropriate ways to express and control their emotions.

Toddlers and older kids may be more prone to tantrums for the following reasons:

• A child’s temperament affects how fast and strongly they respond to things, such upsetting incidents or environmental changes. These items may agitate sensitive children faster.

• Children may find it more challenging to express and control their emotions when they are under the influence of stress, hunger, fatigue, and overstimulation.

• Situations that young child just cannot handle, such when a larger child takes away a younger child’s toy.

• Strong feelings such as fear, anxiety, dread, regret, and rage can be debilitating for kids.

Finding out what is causing your child’s tantrums is the first step. This procedure, which mental health professionals and child psychologists refer to as a “functional evaluation,” comprises examining the real-world circumstances that appear to precipitate tantrums, namely the moments leading up to, during, and following the outbursts that may assist prevent them from happening again.

A child’s habit of tantrums may indicate that there is an issue that needs to be addressed, such as learning disabilities, social anxiety, ADHD, abuse or neglect, or traumatic experiences. Beyond the standard age range, children who have frequent meltdowns usually show indications of uncontrollable distress. For example, when someone tries to go from something they love to something they find difficult, they often fail because the new behavior requires self-control they don’t currently have.

Since many parents find temper tantrums unacceptable, especially when they occur in public, the youngster may assume that acting out would help him achieve his goals. It turns into a response that is conditioned. Even if it only works five times out of ten when there are tantrums, the intermittent reinforcement makes it a highly powerful taught behavior. So, they will keep doing this in order to accomplish their objectives.

Determining if specific tantrum triggers may be modified or eliminated to make them less problematic for the kid is one of the goals of the functional evaluation. If putting on the child’s shoes or leaving for school are the triggers, we cannot make it go away. But occasionally, we could try to defuse a situation by changing the way parents and other caregivers react to it. To reduce the likelihood of a tantrum, this may entail planning demanding activities or allowing kids more time to do tasks.

In order to facilitate the child’s engagement in the activity, it is imperative to anticipate and modify these triggers. For example, a child may throw fits right before assignment time if they have underlying attention, organizational, learning, or specialized learning difficulties that make homework very difficult for them. We ask parents how we might help their child enjoy completing homework more. We may plan his or her work, give regular breaks, support when needed, and break up difficult tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Determining if the child’s behavior expectations are age- and maturity-appropriate for his or her developmental stage and whether there is no developmental delay is another goal. Is it possible to modify the surroundings to enhance the child’s abilities and encourage development towards adulthood?

First of all, parents must understand that “caving in” to a child’s requests are not the same as stopping a tantrum before it begins. It means distinguishing the unpleasant tantrum response from other issues, such following rules from parents. Secondly, by reducing the likelihood of a tantrum, you also remove the risk that the reaction will be encouraged. The absence of tantrums teaches kids how to handle needs, wants, and setbacks in a more responsible manner, which encourages the right responses. There will be fewer tantrums in the future if there are fewer today.

You can take the following actions to reduce the chance of tantrums:

Help your youngster learn to understand how they feel. Words like “glad,” “sad,” “cross,” “tired,” “hungry,” and “comfy” may be used to describe your sensations from the moment of your birth.

Ascertain the source of the tantrum, whether it is overstimulation, hunger, exhaustion, or worry. Going shopping after your child has eaten or slept, for example, may help you predict certain circumstances and avoid the triggers.

Encourage your youngster to learn about their emotions when they manage a difficult situation without losing their cool. I watched you building that tower, for instance, and you didn’t seem sad when it fell. How did that feel? Did you feel strong and at ease?

When your child calms down after a tantrum, talk to them about feelings. Did you discard that toy, for instance, because you were annoyed that it wasn’t working properly? What more choices did you have?

Set an example on how to handle stress. For instance, “I’m concerned that we’ll be late due to traffic.” If I take a few deep breaths, I can keep my cool.

Conclusion

Are you concerned about your child because he/she is showing temper concerns you can contact TalktoAngel. They have the best child psychologist who can help your child overcome concerns and live a healthy and abundant life ahead.