Temper tantrums are a normal part of early childhood and typically occur in children between the ages of 1-5. Many parents and caregivers misunderstand the cause of temper tantrums and assume that their child is trying to manipulate them. This is because children generally have a temper tantrum when they don’t get their way, which can be very disappointing. However, the underlying cause of a temper tantrum is emotion and the fact that young children have not yet learned how to regulate their emotions.
What can parents do?
It is helpful to build your child’s vocabulary around emotions in the same way you label objects such as table, dog, and car. This way, children will be able to express their emotions with words, rather than through physical acts such as screaming, hitting, or biting.
If your child gets upset, validate their emotion but don’t give in. For example, if you are shopping and your child sees a toy they want, you can say “I know, you want that toy and it makes you sad that you can’t have it. I understand. Would you like a hug to feel better?” If you buy the toy to make your child feel better, you are not helping them learn how to manage their emotions. You are teaching them that they can manipulate you with temper tantrums.
It is best to use these techniques before a tantrum starts. Trying to teach your child about emotions in the middle of a tantrum is not likely to work. Instead, help your child to calm down. You can suggest taking deep breaths or hold them. Some children might need a little quiet time on their own to help them regain control. Just be sure to stay near enough to monitor their safety.
With time, practice, and maturity, children will eventually learn to regulate their emotions, a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives.
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.