How To Deal With Tantrums

During the ages of 1 to 3, your child might be having a perfectly fine day, and from one moment to the next, he will be screaming at the top of his lungs over something completely insignificant. Fear not. It is completely normal and it is usually just a response to frustration.

Doctors explain that the tantrums are often a result of uneven language skills. Toddlers begin to understand a lot more, but are not necessarily equipped with the words to express everything they experience. This causes frustration and leads to tantrums.

What can you do?

• Keep it cool. When he’s throwing a tantrum, he’s unable to listen to reason, and telling him to stop is likely to increase the screaming. Stay with him but stay calm. If you absolutely must leave the room, do so calmly, and come back when the crying has stopped. By staying calm, you’re helping him calm down.
• Discuss it. Once he has calm down, hold him close and talk about what happened. Acknowledge his frustration and help him express himself. By showing him that he can use words instead of screams, he’ll soon understand that it is more effective that way.
• Pick up on patterns. Try to see if something specific sparks tantrums, and if so, try to manage or avoid those situations. Often tantrums are a result of him being tired or hungry, things that can be managed.

Reference: http://www.babycenter.com/0_tantrums_11569.bc