A temper tantrum is like boiling milk—one minute it’s boiling over and the minute you simmer the heat, it stops.
Children Kick, Scream, Cry and Whine All to Get Our Attention, But Sometimes It Becomes Too Much. Survive These Tantrums by Stopping Them in Seconds.
Understand why children throw tantrums
What triggered their tantrum? You can help avoid a long and confusing screaming session if you know why your child is upset.
How to react?
The best way to react to a temper tantrum is to keep calm, quietly disagree with your child’s behaviour and allow them to relax.
Talk when your child is calm.
The easiest way to make your child stop throwing a tantrum is to distract or grab their attention by doing something else and make them forget the reason why they are behaving that way.
The following activities can help in handling temper tantrums effectively:
1. Sing together
Sing a fun, cheerful, mood-changing song. Dance and sing along to “If You’re Happy and You Know It” for a fun way to lighten the mood.
2. The Favourite Toy
Bring out your child’s favourite toy and start playing with it. This will work best with preschoolers at home.
Children dislike sharing their toys. Even if your child doesn’t, he/she must have a favourite toy that gets all the attention. In a mid-tantrum crisis, you can start playing with it.
Slowly you will get your child’s attention and the temper will be forgotten. If the child joins you, allow that. Play for sometime before moving on to your work. Crisis averted!
This technique has proved its worth in gold since the time we were kids. Try it!
3. Invite your child to go to another room
Take your child away from the situation that’s making them angry. Even stepping into their bedroom for some privacy can help.
4. If possible, say that you’re going to do something and leave
You can invite your child to come along or let them calm down while you are gone. A child who knows this tactic will likely break their tantrum and want to come with you.
5. Go outside
Let your child play on the playground or run around the backyard to get some of their energy out. It might not solve the problem, but it can help them come back with peace and a clear mind.
6. Tell a joke
It will improve you and your child’s mood before jumping in and solving the problem that’s upsetting your child.
7. Tell a story
Tell a story about your child’s tantrum, but use something else as the subject, such as a bird or fox. Hearing the situation from another perspective in a fun way can help the child understand what they are doing.
8. Call the pet
Let your child pet the cat or dog as you talk through the problem together. Having something else to do can calm your child as you teach them important lessons about managing their emotions.
9.Know your child
Nobody knows your child like you do, so think about the things that might cause them stress. When you know what your child wants, you can help prepare them to react the right way.
Source:
https://flintobox.com/blog/parenting/temper-tantrums
