Temper Tantrums

A LITTLE GUIDE TO HELP

YOU HANDLE YOUR CHILD'S

TEMPER TANTRUMS

What are temper tantrums?

Temper tantrums are a natural process of your child's

development.

A temper tantrum could involve children:

�� Throwing themselves on the floor

�� Kicking and hitting people

�� Refusing to do something they are asked to do

�� Biting themselves or others

�� Screaming, shouting, crying or swearing

�� Destroying an object or toy

Children who have temper tantrums usually have them with

their parents or carers but temper tantrums can vary. Every

child is different. The major cause of toddler tantrums is

conflict with parents, for example over food and eating or

dressing.

Most tantrums will happen in the home but some children will

have them in the shops or outside in the street. This can be

very distressing for parents.

What may seem like over the top or just plain naughty

behaviour is perfectly normal. Try not to get stressed about it

- it won't help!

Prevention

There are some tactics that you can employ to ward off

trouble.

At Home

'Toddler-proof' your home so that you don't have to keep

taking things from your child or saying "No!". If you put

away things that you don't want broken or that a child

can be hurt by, you won't have to chase after your child

and shout all day.

Out Shopping

When you have time why not keep your toddler occupied

by letting them help. You could let them choose some of

the items you want to buy, such as which biscuits, what

colour toilet roll or what fruit to pick. Boredom can cause

frustration!

Visiting/Car journeys

Always have a small goody bag for emergencies. If you

have some books, toys, colouring pencils, and food to

chew on, you always have something to distract your

toddler when they get bored.

Be consistent

If your child knows your limits, they are less likely to

resort to a tantrum to get what they want. If you have

said no to your child, don't then change your mind and

give them what they want.

What can I do?

But what about when you have tried everything and your

child is still determined to throw a wobbly?

Count to ten

If your toddler loses it the worst thing that you can do is

to lose it too. Shouting or lashing out will only make the

situation worse and you will often regret what you do if

you act in haste. Try to stay calm, count to ten. If you are

outside, remember that the people around you probably

don't know you and may never see you again, so don't

think about your embarrassment, deal with your child.

Take a step back

Remember that toddlers are learning all of the time and

don't expect them to be reasonable in the adult sense -

because they are not adults!

Listen and explain

When your child is naughty don't just shout at them and

expect them to respond, bend down to their level, look

into their eyes and explain to them what they are doing

is wrong and why, in a calm but firm way.

Set a good example

Toddlers learn by copying what they see, so the more

that you shout, or say no or lose your cool, the more

likely it is that they will do the same. Hard as it is, it

really does pay off to try and stay calm and positive.

Ignore mild misbehaviour

Choose what is important to you and let the little things

go. If you shout all the time your child will begin to ignore

you, so save your loud voice for when you have no

choice or when your toddler's safety is at risk.

Encourage them

Give lots of praise for the

positive

behaviour that you want to

encourage and try to ignore the

bad behaviour when it is safe to

do so.

Positive Discipline

Smacking does nothing