Dealing with Temper Tantrums

What are Temper Tantrums?

• Violent outbursts of anger manifested by screaming, breaking things, rolling on the floor, whining, holding breath, kicking or hitting.
• Starts in children as young as 18 months.Common in children from ages 2 to 4 years old.

Reasons why child exhibits temper tantrums

• Angry, frustrated because unable to get what he wants
• Wants to get what he wants
• Wants to gain attention
• Learns behaviour from impatient, quick-tempered parents
• Is tired, hungry or easily irritable

How to prevent tantrums

• Meet child’s physical needs
• Be an example in handling your own anger (Lord, change me so that my child will change!)
• Avoid excessive demands or restrictions
• Encourage verbalisation of feelings correctly
• Give adequate attention
• Catch your child doing good

What to do when tantrums begin

• Be calm and ignore the tantrum.Put child in time-out area.
• In public place, take child home or to a place where he will receive little attention.
• Physically restrain child if needed
• Introduce reward system for every 2 hours of non-tantrums
• Teach verbalisation of anger.

What not to do

• Try to reason or explain why he cannot have his way. Child is not receptive at this time.
• Punish, criticise, threaten, shame or shout. You are getting yourself into a power struggle and teaching a negative way to resolve problems.

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