How to Deal with Toddler Tantrums

The toddler years often bring a mixed bag of behaviors. Your child is active and accomplished, he can do many things on his own and he loves to learn and investigate everything. As toddlers learn new words, their communication skills rapidly improve. However, they can understand more words than they can say, and the bigger their world, the more frustrating it can be. Frustration -- along with fatigue, hunger and thirst -- are at the root of most temper tantrums.

Instructions

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      Set yourself up for success. Try to avoid situations that are challenging for your child, such as going grocery shopping, when she is hungry or ready for a nap.

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      Ignore the tantrum. As long as your child isn't hurting himself or anyone else, and isn't damaging property, don't pay any attention to his tantrum. When he sees he isn't getting the response he hoped for, he will eventually stop.

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      Place your child in a time-out. If her behavior is violent or you are worried she will hurt herself, others or damage something, place her in a chair in a quiet corner. Explain that she needs to sit there until she calms down. You may have to return your child to the time-out spot more than once, until she realizes you are serious about her remaining in a designated spot until she calms down.

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      Provide positive attention for good behavior. When your child calms down, tell him you are pleased with his behavior and resume the activity you were doing before the tantrum. If you successfully complete an activity, such as grocery shopping, which has previously caused problems for your child, compliment him on his good behavior.

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      Stay neutral. You may be tempted to reward your child once she regains control, or conversely, chastise her for her bad behavior, but rather just continue with what you were doing before the tantrum. Rewarding her for regaining control shows her that her tantrums do get results, while chastising her doesn't give her credit for regaining control of her emotions, according to KidsHealth.org.

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      Allow your child to make choices when possible. One reason toddlers have tantrums is because they are asserting their newfound sense of independence. You can make this transition easier by allowing your child to make some choices on his own, such as asking which pair of shoes he wants to wear or whether he would prefer to have a sandwich or macaroni and cheese for lunch. Limit the choices, though, so your toddler doesn't feel overwhelmed.

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