Parenting a toddler may be challenging, and it might feel like you've hit rock bottom when you're at a loss for what to do to calm down an angry or troublesome child. Is there a parent alive who hasn't felt both overwhelming affection and devastating frustration at the hands of their toddler?
Loved ones under the age of three can really get on our nerves since they are constantly exploring their environment and discovering new limits. Day by day, they become more proficient, and they can't wait to put their newfound abilities to use. Check out My Baby Nursery for all your baby product needs.
It can be challenging to wrangle a toddler, but it is possible. And by establishing guidelines and boundaries early, when your kid is still learning what is and isn't appropriate behaviour, you can head off bigger issues later on. To assist you guide your kid in the correct direction, here are some suggestions.
So, What Ought You To Do?
Tantrums are a natural aspect of development. Your 2-year-old will use them as a form of communication when they are frustrated about not being able to express themselves verbally. This is more than simply the "terrible twos." This is your little one's first step in developing resilience in the face of setbacks.
You can respond to tantrums or poor behaviour without hindering your 2-year-growth old's and development by taking one of several approaches. To help you effectively manage your toddler's behaviour, here are some suggestions.
Display For My Inspection.
Use only soothing words and deeds while instructing children. Show your kids how to act if that's what you want them to pick up on.
Limit Yourself.
Set ground rules for your kids that they can count on being followed. Make sure you choose a language they can understand that is appropriate for their age group.
Impose Some Repercussions.
Explain to them in a calm and stern manner what would happen if they continue to misbehave. Explain to her that you will have to put her toys away for the day if she does not pick them up. You must be ready to act immediately. Don't cave in and hand them back after only a little while. But never deny your kid something they really need, like food.
Pay Attention.
Having a good ear is crucial. If your child is telling you a story, let them finish it before you jump in to offer a solution. Keep an eye out for patterns of misbehaviour, including if your child's actions seem to escalate as he or she is experiencing emotions like jealousy. Instead of merely handing out punishments, try talking things out with your kid.
Pay Close Attention To Them.
Focused awareness can be used to both encourage desired behaviours and discourage undesirable ones, making it the most potent tool in successful discipline. Keep in mind that every kid craves parental focus.
Seize The Good Times When They Last.
It's important to let kids know when they've done well and when they've messed up. Observe and call attention to positive actions, and offer praise for efforts well made and accomplishments attained. Use concrete examples (e.g., "That's awesome that you put away that toy!").
Learn To Withhold Your Response.
Ignoring undesirable behaviour in a child can be helpful if the youngster is not in immediate danger and the parent gives ample praise for positive actions. Children can learn about the results of their behaviour by being ignored. If your kid keeps purposely dropping cookies, she'll eventually eat them all. She will be unable to play with her toy until she stops throwing it and it stops breaking. They'll soon learn to be more careful with her food and her playthings.
Get Yourself Ready For Trouble.
Prepare for circumstances in which your youngster might act out. Give them a heads up on what will be happening and how you want them to behave.
Bad Behaviour Should Be Redirected.
Ignorance and boredom are two common causes of bad behaviour in children. If you're looking for anything to occupy your toddler, look elsewhere. The perfect baby nursery starts with our curated selection of premium baby goods.
Don't Pay Attention To Them
Despite the fact that it may seem harsh, one of the most important things you can do when faced with a tantrum from your child is to ignore it. Your 2-year-emotional old's have likely gotten the best of them by the time they're having a tantrum, so talking to them or trying other forms of punishment may not help.
If you've made sure they're safe, the tantrum can continue. Could you give them a hug and move on with your day after they calm down? As a rule, two-year-olds don't intentionally throw tantrums until they've figured out that doing so is the quickest way to obtain your attention.
It's possible you should tell them in no uncertain terms that throwing a tantrum isn't the way to obtain your attention. Remind them, in a firm but nonthreatening tone, that they must use words if they want to convey any message to you.
Even if they know the terms, they might not have the full vocabulary to tell you, so try to support them in other ways. The words "I want," "hurt," "more," "drink," and "tired" can all be taught in sign language to a toddler who is not yet speaking or who is having trouble expressing themselves verbally. Discovering other methods of communicating with your child might help reduce tantrums and strengthen your relationship with them.
Don't Stay!
When punishing a two-year-old, it's important for them to recognise your limits. Don't dwell on your anger; just get up and leave. Relax and take a deep breath. Keep in mind that your kid isn't intentionally aiming to cause you harm or distress. Instead, they're angry at themselves and lack the emotional maturity to articulate this. When you've collected yourself, harsh discipline won't have as much of an impact on your child.
Accept Their Requests
Your little one has taken the juice box and is attempting to open it. That's not going to end well, you tell yourself. Your youngster could be told to stop drinking juice by yelling at him or her. You should instead carefully take the bottle away from them. Tell them you'll get the bottle out and get them a drink. This method can be used in other scenarios as well, such as when a child is frustrated and throwing toys because they can't find the one they want.
Giving children a hand in this way sends the message that they can always come to you for assistance instead of fumbling around and making things worse. To the contrary, if you don't want them to have it, gently explain why you're taking it away and suggest an alternative.
Try To Distract And Disorient Them
As parents, our first reaction is to grab our child and hurl them far away from whatever danger lurks in the vicinity. However, taking away their desired object of want may drive them to throw a tantrum. To be born on a crowded street, for example, is not necessarily a bad thing. Not every two-year-tantrum old's can be avoided, but all of them are inevitable on the path to self-discovery and the understanding of what they can and cannot do.
When it's not a life or death situation, distraction and diversion are useful tactics. To get someone's attention, use their name. After getting their attention, call them over and show them something else enjoyable that won't hurt them.
This strategy can also be used to prevent a tantrum from ever starting by diverting attention away from the triggering event. Calmly say "No" and remove your wandering toddler from the area or divert his or her attention to another activity if he or she approaches an inappropriate or unsafe play object.
Never hit, slap, or spank your child. Young children at this age are not likely to make the association between bad behaviour and being physically punished. Spanking teaches a child that it is acceptable to physically express anger towards another person. According to the experts, spanking is no more effective than other types of discipline, such as timeouts.
The Toddler Mindset
Being frustrated with your child because of their mess-making is natural. They've been using crayons to cover the walls in drawings all day today. After playing in the backyard all day yesterday, they brought in mud. It's up to you to tidy up the mess now. But you should strive to think like a child. It's natural for them to view these actions as enjoyable. In the process of doing so, they are gaining knowledge and understanding of their environment.
If you want to avoid a tantrum, don't take them away from the fun. If you wait a minute or two, they will have probably moved on to something else. On the other hand, you can join in and help them in a positive way. Begin colouring on some paper and offer them some.
Inspire Curiosity In Your Child
Just like every other child, yours is probably eager to get out and discover the world. The act of physically touching everything is a part of this quest for knowledge. And eventually, you'll get fed up with their opportunistic seizing. Don't tell children what to touch and what not to; rather, show them. You can use "no-touch" for forbidden or dangerous items, "soft touch" for people and pets, and "yes touch" for certain things. Use the words "hot touch," "cold touch," and "owie touch" to assist your child control his or her fingers, and have fun coming up with more word connotations.
However, Boundaries Must Be Established
Disciplining your youngster with phrases like "because I said so" and "because I said no" is not effective. Instead, establish rules and be clear about why they are necessary. As an illustration, if your youngster is pulling the fur off the family cat, you should take his hand away, explain why it hurts the cat, and then demonstrate proper pet technique. You can also establish limits by putting hazards out of reach (think scissors and knives in locked draws, pantry door closed). Although your child's frustration is understandable, remember that by imposing constraints on their behaviour, you are teaching them self-control.
Maintain Coherence
Consistency is key for enforcing rules and regulations. When parents don't follow through with the punishments they tell their children to expect, those children grow up to be adults who don't follow the rules they establish for them. When disciplining a child, it is important to follow through with the consequences you set. Only threaten action that you intend to take. Threats without action weaken your position.
Keep in mind that children, especially, learn through seeing their parents. As such, it is imperative that you maintain an example-worthy demeanour. The next time you ask your youngster to tidy up toys, create a better impression by putting your own things away first.
Avoid Being Tempted By Removing All Sources Of It
You probably already know that your child has a natural curiosity about the world and wants to get out and discover it. Since toddlers tend to explore everything, it's best to keep potentially dangerous items out of their reach. This necessitates the removal of potential choke hazards, such as televisions, phones, and other devices. Watch out for jewellery, buttons, and other small objects that kids could place in their mouths and choke on. Remember to always keep medicines and cleaning products out of the reach of children.
Make Them Take A Break
Putting your child in timeout may be necessary if they continue to act out negatively. Find somewhere uninteresting to sit or stand, like a chair or the tiled floor of a hallway. Wait for your child to settle down by having them sit on that chair.
Each year of age should account for around one minute of timeout. If your child starts wandering about before the timer goes off, bring them back to the designated timeout area. Before the timer goes off, ignore everything they say and do.
Once your child has calmed down from their timeout, you can talk to them about why it was necessary. Never resort to physical punishment or spanking as a means of child management. In addition to harming your child, such actions serve to reinforce undesirable behaviour.
When you need to take a firmer stance with your kid, a timeout can help. Children as young as two or three who exhibit unacceptable behaviours such as biting, striking, or throwing food should be removed to a timeout location (such as a kitchen chair or the bottom stair) and given a minute or two to calm down before being re-introduced to the group.
Rule of thumb for timeouts is roughly 1 minute for every year of age. A longer timeout has no positive effect. If your child gets up (and refuses to come back) before you mark the end of the timeout, they may sabotage your efforts. Avoid giving your child any kind of attention (talking, eye contact, etc.) while they are in timeout, and make sure the timeout location is free of distractions like toys and television.
How To Control Anger Outbursts?
Occasionally, even the most well-behaved toddler will throw a fit. Children of toddler age often have tantrums because they are frustrated by the fact that they understand more than they are able to express.
Frustration can also arise when a toddler is unable to complete a task, such as dressing a doll or keeping up with an older sibling. The desire for greater freedom and independence in a toddler might lead to power clashes. When feasible, it's important to avoid situations that could lead to a tantrum. These suggestions could prove useful:
- Ascertain that your offspring is not engaging in disruptive behaviour to attract your focus. Make it a practise to "time-in" with your child, or catch them in the act of doing something excellent, and then reward them with some form of positive reinforcement.
- You should let your toddler have some say in minor decisions. The demand for autonomy could be met, and tantrums prevented, in this way. Provide manageable options, such "Would you like an apple or banana with lunch?"
- It's important to provide kids with toys and games that are right for their age when they're playing or trying to grasp something new. You should also begin with a simple assignment before going on to more complex ones.
- This will encourage them and give them the self-assurance to try new things, even if they fail at first.
- Always give serious thought to what your kid is asking for. Could you call it outrageous? Try to be adaptable if you can't.
- Realize the bounds your kid can go to. You shouldn't go to the store or run any errands when you know your child is tired.
When Emotions Run High?
Don't lose your cool if your youngster has a meltdown. Don't make matters worse by venting your anger. Children can sense when their parents are becoming stressed, which can make the situation even more difficult. Be kind and try to see things from your kid's perspective. You may feel compelled to offer solace, for instance, if your child has recently suffered a devastating loss.
Misbehaviour is a quick and easy technique for children to obtain their parents' attention. Ignoring attention-seeking behaviour can be effective in decreasing such behaviour. Keep doing what you're doing and don't pay any attention to your kid, but keep an eye on them just in case.
It's important to remember that your child's behaviour may grow worse before it gets better if you do this. Frustrating as it may be, this shows that ignoring the child's tantrum is having the desired effect. Because misbehaviour has worked in the past, your child will strive harder to grab your attention by acting out. Your child's behaviour will begin to improve once he or she realises that misbehaving won't earn your praise.
Keep in mind that if a child is having a tantrum and could cause harm to themselves or others, they should be brought to a quiet, safe place until they calm down. Ignoring aggressive or harmful behaviour is not an acceptable response.
A temper tantrum may be difficult to prevent in certain children. Say something like, "I'll help you settle down immediately." Don't give in to your child because he or she has been good. This will simply encourage the child to continue using tantrums as a means of getting what they want. Reward your child for his or her return to composure by telling them how proud you are of him or her. Keep in mind that the greatest approach to acquire what your kid wants is to be a nice kid.
Conclusion
Wrangling a child can be difficult, but it can be done. Setting limits and expectations at the outset can prevent more serious problems from arising later. Tantrums are your child's first step towards being resilient, so don't write them off as part of the "terrible twos." There are a variety of ways to deal with temper tantrums and other forms of bad behaviour. Instead of just punishing your child, try talking it out with them.
Experts at Childreassure advise keeping a tight eye on your child and looking for any repeating patterns of negative behaviour. The attention of a parent can be the most powerful instrument in effective punishment. By shifting one's attention, one can promote desirable actions and discourage unhelpful ones. Every kid needs their parents' undivided attention, so it's best to let them know in advance how you'll respond to certain actions. It's crucial for a two-year-old to learn your limitations while you're enforcing discipline.
A toddler who is not yet able to talk can be taught basic signs such as "I want," "hurt," "more," "drink," and "tired" in sign language. Don't ever hit, slap, or spank your kid. A child learns from being spanked that it's okay to act out their anger physically. In the event that your child approaches an unsuitable or dangerous plaything, you should firmly but calmly tell him or her, "No," and remove him or her from the area. This method can also be used to forestall the onset of a tantrum.
Instead of telling kids not to touch something, show them. When referring to prohibited or dangerous goods, use "no touch," while "soft touch" is reserved for people and animals. It is crucial to carry out the punishments you decide upon while disciplining a child.
Content Summary
- When you're at a loss for what to do to soothe your frustrated toddler, you might feel like you've struck rock bottom as a parent.
- Children under the age of three are notoriously difficult to live with because they are constantly testing the boundaries of their surroundings and our patience.
- Wrangling a child can be difficult, but it can be done.
- Furthermore, you may prevent more serious problems in the future by setting limits and expectations for your child while they are still learning what is and is not acceptable behaviour.
- So that you can help steer your kid in the right direction, here are a few pointers.
- Temper tantrums occur frequently in children as they grow.
- Your 2-year-old will resort to them when she or he is frustrated at being unable to find an adequate vocal outlet for their thoughts and feelings.
- Your child is taking their initial steps towards being more resilient in the face of adversity.
- There are a variety of ways to handle your 2-year-old child's tantrums and bad behaviour that won't stunt his or her development.
- Here are some tips to assist you handle your toddler's behaviour.
- Watch out for repeating incidents of misbehaviour, especially if they seem to worsen while your child is feeling intense emotions like envy.
- Just because your child did something wrong does not mean you can't talk to them about it.
- Recognize and highlight good deeds, and provide credit for jobs well done and goals met.
- If the child is not in immediate danger, and the parent provides adequate praise for positive actions, then ignoring undesired behaviour might be useful.
- Ignoring a child can show them how their actions affect others.
- Think ahead to situations in which your child might act out and be ready for it.
- Many times, kids act out because they are bored or they don't know any better.
- Pay No Mind To Them It may seem harsh, but ignoring a child's tantrum is one of the most effective responses you can make.
- They can continue their tantrum as long as you've ensured their safety.
- Until they learn that it gets them what they want quickly, most toddlers don't purposefully throw tantrums.
- It's possible that they understand the concepts, but they lack the language skills to fully explain them to you.
- A youngster who is not yet speaking or who is having difficulty expressing themselves verbally can learn sign language in order to communicate their wants and needs.
- If you and your child are experiencing fewer and less severe tantrums, it may be worth exploring alternative means of communication.
- It is essential that a two-year-old understand your limitations before you penalise them.
- But if you take away their favourite toy, they might have a temper tantrum.
- Call them over and present them with something else fun that won't harm them once you have their attention.
- Thinking like a toddler It's normal to get annoyed at your kid when they make a mess.
- For them, it seems to reason that these activities would be joyful.
- Don't take away the fun if you don't want a tantrum to break out.
- On the other side, you can choose to participate and offer useful assistance.
