Taming the toddler temper tantrum – Learn all about the why and how for managing and preventing them!

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A toddler’s world is filled with discovery and exploration, things that excite them and make them happy. But sometimes, a toddler’s emotions can get the better of them and they can become overwhelmed and overstimulated, resulting in a temper tantrum. There are ways to effectively handle and prevent toddler tantrums, and we’re going to talk all about it today.

First, let’s go over why tantrums happen and what they look like. Toddlers can easily become overwhelmed or agitated. If they are feeling any strong emotion, such as being excited, frustrated, stressed, or bored, it can come out as a tantrum. In addition to emotions, a toddler might be tired or undernourished when they have a tantrum. Sign of a toddler tantrum often include screaming, crying, kicking, and throwing themselves on the ground. These kinds of reactions can be very difficult to handle in the moment, which is why it’s important to learn how to manage and prevent them.

The first step in handling a toddler tantrum is to stay calm and remain present. It can be really easy to get frustrated and angry when dealing with a tantrum, but that won’t help anything. Try to stay patient and understanding during the tantrum and focus on using your words to express what your toddler is feeling instead of getting frustrated or raising your voice. You can also provide physical comfort, such as a hug or a pat on the back, to help your toddler process their emotions.

The next step is to provide distraction or redirection. Distractions can help take your child’s focus away from their tantrum and give them something else to think and focus on. You don’t want to give in to the tantrum, but you do want to take their mind off of it and redirect the energy in a positive direction. Redirection can also help build problem solving skills and increase their focus. Give them something else to do like coloring, watching a show, playing with a toy, or even giving them something to snack on.

It’s also important to try and be understanding and supportive during a tantrum. Try to understand what your toddler is feeling and let them know that it’s okay to feel whatever it is they’re feeling. Acknowledge their emotions and provide understanding instead of judgment. This can help your toddler feel that their emotions are valid and that it’s okay to talk about their feelings.

Now let’s talk about some strategies for preventing tantrums. The most important thing is to be consistent. Make sure to set appropriate boundaries and stick to them. This will help your toddler know what is and isn’t okay and help them anticipate consequences for their actions.

In addition, make sure to set regular routines and provide consistent responses. As much as possible, try to keep a regular sleeping and eating schedule and stick to it. This will help your child feel more secure and stable in their environment. For instance, if you set a snack time and stick to it, your toddler will know that snacks will be available at certain times each day.