Toddler tantrums are not uncommon while little humans try to navigate the world with a growing brain.
According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), toddlers may throw fits or refuse to listen when they are asked to complete a task. These tantrums can stem from a toddler feeling frustrated because they are not yet able to communicate how they are feeling and what they are thinking, due to their still underdeveloped brains.
When toddlers feel frustrated, they tend to have a meltdown. For parents, these moments can feel frustrating but AHS has a few strategies to help parents manage their toddler’s challenging behaviour.
It is important for parents and caregivers to be patient while also setting firm, fair and consistent boundaries, AHS said in a press release. As caregivers demonstrate appropriate behaviour, young children will learn what is the right and wrong way to respond to a situation.
“Model the behaviour that you want to see, interact with others in a loving, open manner, and deal with frustrations calmly. Children learn from what they see others doing around [them],” AHS said.
Reinforcing appropriate child behaviour will also help them understand the right reactions while also reinforcing a positive sense of self, read the AHS press release. Providing opportunities for a child to interact with others, toddlers will become more confident with each positively reinforced behaviour.
Parents and caregivers may feel exhausted at times but it is important to reassure toddlers they are loved and it is the behaviour that is not appropriate, not the child themselves.
“Offer plenty of praise and attention when your child behaves well,” AHS said in the press release.
Parents and caregivers should try to stop the tantrum at the source and attempt to minimize the potential for conflicts as much as possible. AHS recommends putting objects a toddler should not touch out of reach. AHS said to prepare a toddler well in advance for circumstances that the toddler may not enjoy, such as informing the child when their toys will be put away.
To avoid the home becoming a battleground, AHS suggested parents pick their battles.
“Focus on the most important [things], such as making sure car seats are used and bedtimes followed,” read the AHS press release.
Using a firm voice and looking a child in the eye can help them understand, but if not, AHS suggested removing the toddler from the situation that is causing them distress.
It is important to recognize that every child's reaction, no matter how troublesome, has a purpose. The toddler is only trying to communicate and make sense of the world, according to the public health institution.
AHS said to offer a child limited choices and instead of asking them what they want, give them options to pick from. Allowing the toddler to choose will give them a sense of independence while not overwhelming them with options.
