How to deal with child’s tantrums

The primary triggers for child’s tantrums are due to frustration, breakdowns of communication, resentment and unfair treatment. Children throw tantrums just like adults and usually over the same triggers. Grown-ups, however, are better equipped for dealing with these emotions compared to children. Children as young as nine months may start to have tantrums, but it could be as late as 1 to 2 years old.

Most common triggers of tantrums:

• Frustration at limited skills
• Communication failure
• Being denied something
• Rebellion against authority or resentment at unfair treatment
• Infringement of territory, usually by other children
• Feeling ignored or marginalized
• Boredom

Dealing with tantrums

The best way to deal with tantrums is to find out what the trigger was. If a child becomes easily frustrated by challenging tasks, try to understand how they are feeling and make it a bit less complicated for them.

Ways of dealing with a tantrum

You need to explain to your child in a calm voice that the behaviour they are displaying is unacceptable. You need to support them and help them find a way to channel their anger and frustration, such as taking time out to calm down.

Ignoring

Leaving the room and making sure your child does not have an audience is also a good way of coping with tantrums. Do not communicate with them, and they will find a way to soothe themselves.

Time-out

Find a space that is quiet such as their room or a corner where you can put them if they start to become angry, and this will help them let off some steam. Some children respond well to singing or reading a story.

Preventing tiredness and hunger

Children are more likely to have a tantrum when they are tired or hungry as this makes them become grouchy and unsociable. Try to give them three meals a day with snacks and allow them to take naps if needed.

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