How to Stop a Toddler Tantrum

Whether you're in your own home, at a friend's house or in a public place, your toddler's tantrum is something that you'll want to stop as soon as it starts. According to the pediatric pros at the KidsHealth website, toddlers have tantrums for many different reasons, such as feeling frustrated, seeking attention, being tired or lacking the language skills necessary to express emotions. From minor outbursts to major meltdowns, your screaming and out-of-control tot needs your help to regain her composure and stop her seemingly outrageous behavior.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the root cause of the tantrum. Observe your toddler and his behavior. Look at the circumstances surrounding his tantrum, trying to piece together a reason or identify something that set him off, such as the time of day, the amount of sleep he is getting, what he just ate, if he's hungry, if another child is involved or how much attention you are giving him. Write down your observations in a notebook or journal, referring back to it over time to look for patterns in his outbursts. Noting definite patterns can help you stop a tantrum before it starts.

    • 2

      Offer your toddler the chance to take control. Provide her with choices, giving her a sense of independence that may put a halt to her outburst.

    • 3

      Pick a strategy that matches the cause of the tantrum. Ignore your toddler's outburst if you are sure that he is trying to get your attention. Wait until he regains his composure before you show him the attention that he craves, showing him that you won't reward bad behaviors.

    • 4

      Show empathy and caring when your toddler throws a tantrum out of frustration. Get down on her level and let her know that you understand she is feeling frustrated. Ask her to use her words to tell you why she's feeling frustrated or help her out and give her a few words to use.

    • 5

      Remove your child from the situation that is causing the tantrum. Take him to a quiet place where he can calm down. Put your toddler in timeout for a specified time -- one minute per each year of her age.

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