Post on 27-Mar-2015
transcript
Temper Tantrums
By: Alison Anderson-Crum
Early Childhood Education
Lively Technical Center
Common CausesoNot understanding what is being asked of heroNot being understoodoNot being able to express feelings or needsoNot being able to solve problems on her ownoNot being able to describe an illnessoNot being able to do things physically that
she wants oBeing uncomfortable or scaredoHungry, but not knowing itoTired but not able to sleepo Jealous of others regarding things or
attention
In other words,
Frustration!!
10 Steps to Preventing
Temper Tantrums
Number 1:
Observe tantrums for patterns. Avoidance of
certain places, situations, people, and time of day may
help in not triggering a tantrum! So, avoid 5 p.m. at
all costs!!
Okay, I am not funny and avoiding a time of day is impossible! So, what
now? A tantrum can occur at any time, but,
by the end of the day, the children have had enough of the fun already.
Save the soothing music and movement activity for the end!
Number 2:
Consistent routines help children define their day.
If they know what to expect next, they feel more secure and more in control of their
own life!
Yes!!!It is all about
Power!!!
Number 3:
Set reasonable limits! No more than five rules and do not expect perfection all of the
time. Have consequences if a rule is not followed. However, the consequences must be in
line with the infraction..
Consistency is KEY!
Number four:
Offer choices.
Let the children decide their own area for the small
group time, etc.
Again, it is all about having control of their
own life!
Number 5:Don’t offer choices when
there isn’t one. Sometimes, we just do not have a
choice…that’s just the way it is.
“Don’t climb on the fence, okay?”
“NO, it is not okay! I want to climb on the
fence!”Remove “OK” from your vocabulary right now!!
Number 6:
Don’t overreact to NO. Be empathetic but firm.
“I know you don’t want to nap, Timmy, but, it is time. At which end would you like to lay your head today?”
Show that you care about his feelings and try to
offer a choice if there is one. If not, see #5.
Number 7:
Say “YES!” more. Listen to the request and if it is reasonable go ahead and agree! But, if you
say no, stick to it.
Y -E –S! Yay! YES!
Number 8:
Avoid frustrating situations…duh!
Age appropriate materials only!! Don’t bring in
higher level toys hoping to advance them more quickly. it only leads to
disruptive behavior!
# 9:Teach her to use words to express her emotions. Use your feeding in
and expansion strategies.
•Feeding in: a strategy where you provide the child’s language
•Expansion: Reframing an
utterance into a sentence
Being able to express herself will improve
communication skills and increase self-
control, thus, lowering frustration levels.
Number 10:
Be a good role model!
Don’t scream back. Show that you are
in control!
Your staying in control is not only a good example, but, is comforting, too. Believe it or
not, a temper tantrum is scary for a child. They have lost
control and feel like they are careening over the edge. The
caregivers are the anchor.
Handling A Tantrum
So, you’ve done everything to avoid a tantrum and it didn’t work…
what now?!
PAUSE BEFORE YOU ACT. Take at least thirty seconds to decide how you will handle the tantrum. Four
possible ways to deal with a tantrum include:
DISTRACT - Try to get the child's attention focused on something
else. If he screams when you take him away from something
unsafe, offer him something else to play with. This technique
works well with toddlers.
REMOVE - Take the child to a quiet, private place to calm down. This should be a quiet "cooling down" place that is
away from other children. Avoid trying to talk or reason with a screaming child. It doesn't work! Stay nearby until you see
that she has calmed down. Then you can talk and return to whatever you were
doing.
IGNORE - Older children will sometimes throw tantrums to get attention. Try ignoring the tantrum and going about your
business as usual.
HOLD - Holding an "out of control" child calmly is sometimes necessary to keep him from hurting
himself or someone else. You might also say something like: "I can see you are angry right
now, and I am going to hold you until you calm down. I won't let you hurt me or anyone else."
Often this approach can be comforting to a child. Again, children don't like to be out of control. It
scares them. An adult who is able to take charge of the situation and remain calm and in control
can be very reassuring.
Remember……Be the anchor!!
THE END!