As toddlers grow and explore the world, their behaviour can be both endearing and challenging. Knowing more about a toddler, appropriate ways of dealing with anger, and how to handle temper tantrums will help you rear a child during this stage appropriately. Let’s explore the issues around toddlers; behaviour and tips on how to approach the issues.
Understanding Toddler Behaviour
Toddlers are very active learners, and this makes them very active doers as well; this makes them exhibit some challenging behaviors to parents.
Here are some of the common toddler behaviours traits.
Tantrums and Meltdowns: Toddlers display immense temper tantrums with shrill voice volume whenever they are stressed out or do not know how to make their wants known.
Defiance and Testing Limits: Children at this age are still exploratory and it is normal for them to jump boundaries to get information.
Separation Anxiety: Toddlers are known to have distress when they are separated from their most preferred caregivers for a few minutes.
Possessiveness: The children are in their toddler-hood and they are just learning how they want to interact with others; for instance, sharing toys or taking turns.
Positive Discipline Techniques
Positive discipline is centered on how to direct todays behaviors towards more desirable behaviors than arguing on what behavior is bad and should not be done.
Here are some effective positive discipline techniques.
Modelling and Narrating
This technique should be utilised to model, at least briefly, the desired behavior and name it. For example, teach him to say, ‘I am stroking the dog gently.’ or ‘walking with my feet inside the house’.
Positive Reinforcement
Reward good behaviors exerted by your toddler and encourage them to display good behaviors more often. It helps them memorialize such behaviors so that they can repeat them again in future. For example, utter such sentences as, “It was good that you shared your toy to your friend; you are so kind.”
Natural and Logical Consequences
Let your toddler find out the result of his/her actions on own, if possible or safe. For instance, if they refuse to wear a coat outside, they will be feeling cold. Logical consequences have to do with choice and action and are administered by the parent such as not playing with a toy used for hitting.
Redirection and Distraction
Disapprove without scolding, when you catch your toddler in the act of doing something wrong. Suggest another game or toy to distract them and make them change their attitude. For instance if they are throwing blocks, the correct intervention can be to invite them to build a tower.
Time-Ins
In this case, time in is preferred to time out since the latter is somewhat isolating to the child. Hold your toddler’s hand and say to him, “Let’s take a seat,” so that he can lower his energy level. Thus, gradually becomes calm and engages in conversation with you about his emotions. This brings out their ability to manage their emotions and also enhances your closeness as a family.
Managing Tantrums and Meltdowns
Temper tantrum is a natural occurrence in the development of toddlers and they pose some of the greatest challenges to the parents. Here are some strategies for managing meltdowns.
Stay Calm
When your toddler is in a foul mood that results in temper tantrum, it is mandatory that you keep your cool. Do not shout at them or scold them when the episode begins, and don’t punish them in any way during the episode.
Validate Their Feelings
You reassure the toddler and give him or her your attention, something like, “I know you are angry right now.”
Provide a Safe Space
If possible, follow your toddler to a separate area and encourage them to stop their tantrum, for example, go to their bedroom or the designated ‘time-in’ area. Supply some comfort such as a toy or blankets.
Distract and Redirect
However, when the initial force of the tantrum is reduced, attempt to distract your toddler using a toy or a book which he or she loves. Another intervention method is to distract the child to another activity.
Set Limits with Empathy
If, during a tantrum, your toddler starts to harm him or herself, either by hitting people or throwing objects, then step in calmly, but firmly. For instance, state words to the effect that ‘I can’t let you hit. Hitting hurts. We must both take some deep breaths. Bear in mind that tantrums are a natural stage in childhood and you do not have to accept them, but as you have understood, they do disappear with age and appropriate practice. If you respond with tenderness, reinforcing the boundary, and modeling appropriate effective emotional self-regulation strategies the toddler will manage through such times.
Raising toddlers is not easy for both parent and child as temper tantrums may occur but with the right approach, and perseverance you and your child will get through this difficult phase. When you learn why toddlers behave as they do, adopt pro-active forms of discipline. Use the rip-roaring rages of your child to your advantage, you can continue developing a remarkable connection with your child.