Unlike adults, children will not easily tell what triggers their discomfort. When upset or disgruntled, they will throw tantrums. The most common ways children show their frustrations include crying unprovoked, stomping, whining, throwing things, kicking, screaming, holding their breath for long and even rolling on the ground.
Many of us do not know what to do during a child’s meltdown, majorly because we cannot tell their trigger. You will be left wondering if they are hungry, feeling unwell or just craving for attention. To help you deal with this, we show you several ways to handle your child’s tantrums based on our experience as the best childcare in Chatswood. Read on to learn.
Be Patient
Very rarely will tantrums last for a long period. Instead of trying to reason with your child during this phase, you can stay calm and wait for it to pass. Hugging them or asking why they are upset sometimes makes matters worse, making the phase last longer
A better approach is to watch from a distance and give them time to cool off before approaching them with a solution. Encourage them if they are upset and they will eventually calm down.
Acknowledge Their Strong Feelings
Tantrums are your child’s way of expressing displeasure, hunger, discomfort, sleep, fatigue, among many other feelings. At an early age, they are still developing emotionally and it is your task to show them the way.
When your child throws a tantrum because they can’t play longer with their favourite toy, support by acknowledging their feelings. Once they know you understand where all the meltdown is coming from, they will be open to sharing with you next time.
It also makes it easier for you to help them express such feelings to you instead of crying.
Be Consistent
While tantrums are normal for children around the age of 3, it is not unusual for this to follow your child all the way to teenhood.
Since they do not understand emotions, your child is likely to continue acting up if you let them get away with it. One way to prevent this is by making it clear that you do not condone crying and throwing of stuff around.
Keep correcting them over and over to help them learn other positive ways to share their feelings. You might confuse your child if you reprimand them today and fail to do it tomorrow when they make the same mistake. They will not know your stand.
Reward Positive Behavior
The time your child spends with you should be educational. Guide them towards good behaviour, help them have a better understanding of others and to gain important values like patience.
You can do this by acknowledging when they do well and reprimanding their wrongs as well. If you only focus on correcting them, they will lose confidence and have fear of trying things out. So, show gratitude and appreciation when your child finally practices a good habit you endorsed and also use the same energy when shooting down their tantrums.
This helps them understand the difference between the two and teaches them to keep off the wrongs. Having them attend childcare in North Ryde is also another way to expose them to such lessons.
Do Not Procrastinate
Does your child give you trouble whenever you fail to buy them their preferred item when out shopping? Well, deal with it right then. Do not wait to get home because by then they will have forgotten about the whole ordeal, only to repeat it the next time you go shopping.
Instead of postponing, tell them why their crying won’t change your mind and let them know why you didn’t pick what they demanded. This way, your child will understand that they can’t have their way at all times and that they have to let some things just go.
Ignore Some Of It
Sometimes children just need your attention and will keep doing it as long as you show concern.
That is why it is recommended that you take a keen look at your child’s tantrum triggers. If you realize they only cry or scream to catch your attention, let them do so for a while as you mind your business. They will realize that they can’t demand your attention by sulking but by approaching you.
To conclude, please note that your child’s tantrums may not be similar to those of their peers or even siblings. So do not make any general assumptions or be quick to shut them down if they suddenly start throwing tantrums; instead, try to find out if they have any underlying problems. If you think your child is throwing way too many tantrums for no reason, work with their pediatrician. You can also seek advice from the best childcare in Macquarie Park.
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