Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Tantrums are natural behaviors in young children because of their developmental age. Young children may show frustration by kicking and screaming while lying on the floor. Other factors can also cause your child to have tantrums. These include: Hunger or tiredness − Your child may be very tired and hungry after a long day of playing or school. This can be overwhelming for a child. Frustration − Sometimes, children are not be able to say what they want using words. If the adult does not understand, the child may become very frustrated. Wanting attention − Your child may feel a tantrum is the only way to get your attention. Being told no − Children may react with a tantrum when they are told no to something they want or like to do. Wants independence − Children want to do things for themselves. A tantrum may happen if you have to help or hold your child to keep them safe. During tantrums, your child is out of control. It is important that you stay in control of the situation. How you handle yourself during your child's tantrum is very important. Here are ways to help when your child is having a tantrum: Stay calm. Do not shout at or punish your child. If the tantrum makes you tense, leave the room if your child will remain safe without you there. Wait a minute or 2 and calm yourself. Then, go back to your child. Put your child in a safe place like a crib or room where you can supervise your child but your child can cry freely. Move your child away from the problem and give your child time to calm down. Give your child a short break. Some parents use a time out. A good rule of thumb is 1 minute for each year of age. For example, your 3-year old may get a 3-minute time out. If you cannot leave your child alone, stay in the room, watch your child for safety, but do not give your child attention during the tantrum. Do not make eye contact with your child. After the time out or when your child has calmed down, talk with your child. Use simple words about what your child did. This will help teach your child that a tantrum is not a way to get needs met. Listen to your child. Then, your child will learn that using words will let others know what your child is thinking. Make sure that your child understands that the tantrums need to stop. Give praise when your child can use words to talk about feelings. Remember, shouting and punishing your child during a tantrum may cause more problems. You should not give in to your child's demands to stop the tantrums. If you do, your child will learn that tantrums will help get what your child wants in the future.
Taming Childhood Anger
Tantrums are natural behaviors in young children because of their developmental age. Young children may show frustration by kicking and screaming while lying on the floor. Other factors can also cause your child to have tantrums. These include: Hunger or tiredness − Your child may be very tired and hungry after a long day of playing or school. This can be overwhelming for a child. Frustration − Sometimes, children are not be able to say what they want using words. If the adult does not understand, the child may become very frustrated. Wanting attention − Your child may feel a tantrum is the only way to get your attention. Being told no − Children may react with a tantrum when they are told no to something they want or like to do. Wants independence − Children want to do things for themselves. A tantrum may happen if you have to help or hold your child to keep them safe. During tantrums, your child is out of control. It is important that you stay in control of the situation. How you handle yourself during your child's tantrum is very important. Here are ways to help when your child is having a tantrum: Stay calm. Do not shout at or punish your child. If the tantrum makes you tense, leave the room if your child will remain safe without you there. Wait a minute or 2 and calm yourself. Then, go back to your child. Put your child in a safe place like a crib or room where you can supervise your child but your child can cry freely. Move your child away from the problem and give your child time to calm down. Give your child a short break. Some parents use a time out. A good rule of thumb is 1 minute for each year of age. For example, your 3-year old may get a 3-minute time out. If you cannot leave your child alone, stay in the room, watch your child for safety, but do not give your child attention during the tantrum. Do not make eye contact with your child. After the time out or when your child has calmed down, talk with your child. Use simple words about what your child did. This will help teach your child that a tantrum is not a way to get needs met. Listen to your child. Then, your child will learn that using words will let others know what your child is thinking. Make sure that your child understands that the tantrums need to stop. Give praise when your child can use words to talk about feelings. Remember, shouting and punishing your child during a tantrum may cause more problems. You should not give in to your child's demands to stop the tantrums. If you do, your child will learn that tantrums will help get what your child wants in the future.
Pick the best time of day for your child. Avoid nap and meal times to run errands.,Plan ahead of time where you need to shop and have a list of what you need to buy so you can be efficient. This may prevent delays and help your child from being overtired.,Calmly tell your child what behavior you expect before going anywhere. Help your child understand that a tantrum may cause you leave a place right away, even if it is a favorite place.,Let your child play while you are doing your errands or shopping. You may offer a book or toy so that your child has something to enjoy.,Keep a snack and drink on hand in case your child is hungry.,Let your child help. When you can, offer your child the choice between two items that you would be happy with. Let your child carry small items or put them in the basket or cart.,Allowing your child to make small choices can help with your child's sense of well-being. Your child will learn he can have what he wants sometimes, but not all the time.,Trade babysitting for errands. Ask a friend or family member to watch your child and you will run errands for them. Next time, you can switch.
Healthy Living,Mental Health,Pediatric,Therapy (Occupational, Physical, Speech, etc)
Childhood Temper Tantrums,Taming Childhood Tempers,Taming Tantrums
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider’s advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.
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