Managing Temper Tantrums: Strategies in Handling Emotional Outbursts

temper tantrums child parents

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Feb 26, 09:48 am

Handling tantrums can be difficult when the child is in the middle of an emotional temper. According to Ray Levy, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Dallas, and co-author of Try and Make Me! Simple Strategies That Turn Off the Tantrums and Create Cooperation, meltdowns are a usual attitude of childhood, specially for kids between the ages of 1 and 4 who are still growing in coping skills.

Tantrums can differ from whining and crying to more deep behaviors like screaming, kicking, hitting, and breath-holding.

What Causes Children to Experience Tantrums

Recognizing the root cause of the tantrum is essential during such episodes, and it's crucial to try to provide emotional serenity. Tantrums typically appear from unmet needs or wants, with communication difficulties playing an important role for toddlers aged 1 to 2.

As children grow more independent by the age of 3 or 4, outburst can become a power battle as they affirm their needs and wants.

Outbursts are a natural part of a child's progress, helping them learn to handle negative feelings.

Clinical psychologist Linda Rubinowitz affirmed that tantrums are not a consideration of parenting skills but rather an essential stage in a child's emotional progress.

What To Do During Tantrums

To lessen the likelihood of outburst, parents can model positive actions, identify triggers, and help children recognize their emotions.

When faced with a tantrum, it's essential to avoid tactics like yelling, spanking, or giving in to demands, as these can boost the behavior.

Handling a toddler's tantrum involves being calm, refraining from yelling, and employing various strategies such as distraction, brief commands, and giving advance warning about transitions.

It's necessary to address destructive behavior soon, giving comfort and support without giving in to unreasonable want.

While tantrums can be difficult, it's essential for parents to stay constant in their responses, avoid taking tantrums personally, and move on from the occurrence once it eases.

Revisiting the first request that prompts the tantrum, offering complement for positive action, and chastity from dwelling on the burst add to practical tantrum management.

What Is Temper Tantrum

Temper tantrums serve as a means for a young child to release intense emotions before they can articulate them in socially acceptable ways.

Despite the appearance of being completely uncontrollable, these displays of rage, including stomping, screaming, and throwing oneself to the ground, are considered a normal part of childhood development.

Typically occurring in the presence of a parent, tantrums are a child's way of communicating feelings.

Parents can gain insight by understanding the circumstances triggering the tantrum.

Temper tantrums usually commence around the age of 1 and persist until ages 2 to 3. They tend to decrease as a child becomes more proficient in expressing wants and needs.

Temper tantrums tend to decrease with age, and children typically behave normally between episodes.

However, parents should consult a healthcare provider if tantrums are severe, persistent, or worsening after 3 to 4 years of age, if the child has difficulty communicating, or if the child exhibits signs of illness or engages in harmful behavior during tantrums.

What To Do After a Tantrum

Commend the child for regaining composure, expressing approval like "I appreciate how you settled down."

After a tantrum, children may feel vulnerable, and now, in a calm state, is an opportune time for hugs and reassurance of unconditional love.

For older children, engage in a discussion about alternative ways to express frustration.

Ensure the child receives adequate sleep, as insufficient sleep can contribute to hyperactivity and extreme behavior shifts, potentially reducing the occurrence of tantrums.

Understand the recommended sleep duration for the child's age range.