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Terrible twos coming up? How to deal with toddler tantrums
Now they’re walking and talking, your toddler’s asserting their independence more and more every day, as well as developing a strong willpower! Here are some tips on how to deal with toddler tantrums.
- Children like consistency. Set clear rules and stick to them.
- Praise when they get it right, ignore when they get it wrong.
- Give them easy tasks they can do by themselves (putting on their wellies, tidying toys away).
- Give your child many opportunities for physical activity and exercise.
- Give your child simple choices about what to do (red or blue shirt, teddy or train, banana or apple).
- Instead of saying “No”, give them something more interesting instead. This is called distraction or redirection. For example, “Why don’t you try this instead?”
- Stick to a daily routine with regular meals,...
Terrible twos coming up? How to deal with toddler tantrums
Now they’re walking and talking, your toddler’s asserting their independence more and more every day, as well as developing a strong willpower! Here are some tips on how to deal with toddler tantrums.
Back- Children like consistency. Set clear rules and stick to them.
- Praise when they get it right, ignore when they get it wrong.
- Give them easy tasks they can do by themselves (putting on their wellies, tidying toys away).
- Give your child many opportunities for physical activity and exercise.
- Give your child simple choices about what to do (red or blue shirt, teddy or train, banana or apple).
- Instead of saying “No”, give them something more interesting instead. This is called distraction or redirection. For example, “Why don’t you try this instead?”
- Stick to a daily routine with regular meals, naps, playtime, and quiet time, whenever possible.
- Make sure their bedtime routine is calming and consistent.
- Keep shopping trips short to avoid boredom and public meltdowns.
- Try to distract when you see something brewing. Timed right, a silly noise, funny face, or toy-swap can stop a tantrum in its tracks.
- If it’s too late and a tantrum starts, try to stay calm.
- Be comforting. Cuddles can crack the toughest nut. Sometimes a little security is all they need.
- Don’t give in—your toddler’s pretty smart and if they think it’s worked, they’ll try it again.
- Hug it out when it’s over. Tantrums are a normal healthy sign of development and they won’t last forever.
Sources
Canadian Paediatric Society. Caring for Kids. Positive discipline for young children. https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/positive-discipline-for-young-children Accessed September 2020.
