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Temper tantrum - Temper tantrum Symptom, Cause, Treatment
Temper tantrums are common, occurring in about 80% of children between the ages of 2 and 4. About 20% of 2-year-olds and 10% of 4-year-olds have daily temper tantrums.
Temper tantrums are disruptive or undesirable behavior or emotional outbursts displayed in response to unmet needs or desires, or an inability to control emotions stemming from frustration or difficulty expressing the particular need or desire.
Temper tantrums range from whining and crying to screaming, kicking, hitting, and breath holding. They're equally common in boys and girls and usually occur from age 1 to age 3. Some children may experience regular tantrums, whereas for other children, tantrums may be few and far between. Children's temperaments vary dramatically - some kids are more prone to tantrums than others.
Other methods to try to prevent tantrums include:
- Use an upbeat tone when asking your child to do something. Make it sound like an invitation, NOT an order. For example, "if you put your mittens and hat on, we'll be able to go out to your play group."
- Make rules count. Don't battle over unimportant things like which shoes your child wears or whether he or she sits in the high-chair or booster seat. Safety is what matters, such as not touching a hot stove, keeping the car seat buckled, not playing in the street, etc. As the American Academy of Pediatrics experts put it, "while [your toddler or preschooler] will be saying 'no' to everything..., you should be saying 'no' only the few times a day when it is absolutely necessary."
- Offer choices whenever possible. For example, let your child pick what clothes to wear, stories to read, etc. A child who feels independent in many areas will be more likely to follow rules when it is a must. DO NOT offer a choice if one doesn't truly exist.
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