As a parent, you have most likely heard other parents or your pediatrician talk about the “terrible twos”, which is a normal developmental phase experienced by young children that’s often marked by tantrums, defiant behavior, and lots of frustration. Generally beginning around 18 months of age, this developmental phase can last until they are actually 3 years old or older. Since their verbal, physical, and emotional skills aren’t well-developed yet, your child can easily become frustrated when they fail to adequately communicate or perform a task, resulting in a tantrum. These tantrums can range from mild whining to all-out hysterical meltdowns. To help you get through these tough times, Children’s World Learning Center is here to share with you six tips to help both you and your child deal with toddler tantrums from our experiences with child care Winterville NC.
As soon as we see a child’s anger start to show at Children’s World child care Winterville NC, we immediately address the situation. Recognize and accept their anger, and try to understand why they are upset. It is important to let them know that it’s ok to be mad so that they do not try to hide their emotions
in the future.
Our next tip is to encourage them to use words to let you know what is wrong if the reason isn’t obvious. If your child is upset, try your best to calm them down by getting face-to-face with them and asking for them to show you what is wrong if they can’t fully talk yet. Once they realize you are trying to understand, they can either tell you or show you what is making them so unhappy.
For ages, there has been a stigma around “giving in” to your child – that it will spoil them and teach them to cry to get their way. But in fact, we have learned that utilizing a positive solution can motivate them towards something that excites them. This does not mean that you should give in every time, but offering an alternative can nip their anger in the bud, helping them to focus on something positive to look forward to.
Instead of immediately telling your child “No” when they request something, pause and say, “Let me think about it.” This gives you an opportunity to think about the request, and about how to positively deny it, if necessary, or divert your child’s attention. Slowing down and discussing it also lets your child understand the reason for a refusal, and accept it more agreeably.
If you’re in public and your child has a meltdown, it is best to move away from the audience so that you can discuss their anger in private. We also do this at Children’s World child care Winterville NC. This relieves any pressure you might feel from onlookers, or their classmates, and allows you to relate to your child in a quiet space. The less noise and distractions there are, the easier it will be for you to calm your child down and let them explain their emotions.
While you want to convey that it is ok if your child feels angry, you need to make clear that the physically aggressive behavior is not. Violent, aggressive behavior is never the solution, for you or your child. Popping them for acting out shows them that they can hit a friend when they do something they don’t agree with as well. Try to direct your child towards a more positive way to react.
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