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Home : Symptoms
: Tantrums
Tantrums
"Everyone has tantrums,
just some are more vocal than others. When our children have a tantrum they
are really trying to say they NEED something".
Of course, prevention is the best medicine...watch for
warning signs:
- Fixating on one task to the point of frustration,
- Chewing on non-edible items (shirt, fingers, etc.),
- Saying they have a headache or belly ache,
- Breathing fast,
- Frustrated statements ("oh-oh", "it
can't fit").
If you see any of the above occurring, ask, "Can I
help?" or redirect them to another activity.
One method I
learned to end a tantrum was the the HALT acronym. When you
see your child gearing up for a tantrum calmly ask your child...
- Are you Hungry?
(pause)
- Are you Angry?
(pause)
- Are you Lonely?
(pause)
- Are you Tired?
(pause)
This serves
two purposes:
- It gives us
a path to follow, once the need is identified let them help figure out
ways to fix it.
- I also learned that when children/adults have
tantrums it's because they are stuck on the emotional side of their
brain. This gets them to the logical side as soon as possible.
If the above doesn't work:
- Ask them a question that they have to think about, or
that's so absurd they really search their brain to find an answer.
- Let them calm down. Guide them to a safe place to
deescalate (bean bag chairs are great).
- Give them more than a moment. Tantrums are exhausting
for all involved, especially the child.
Below is additional information I found.
Articles
on Temper Tantrums
http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/tempertantrums/
Coping
with Temper Tantrums
www.all-babynkids.com/a13.htm
Dr.
Greene speaks about Temper Tantrums
www.drgreene.com/21_565.html
Healthy
Kids' articles on Temper Tantrums
www.americanbaby.com/ab/CDA/featureList/0,1309,220,00.html
The
Truth About Temper Tantrums
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/tantrums.html
Tips
for Surviving Temper Tantrums
www.drgreene.com/21_632.html
Understanding
Children's Temper Tantrums
www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1529J.pdf
What
Works; Dealing with Temper Tantrums
www.familyeducation.com/whatworks/item/nogroup-index/0,3002,1-13924,00.html |
