Tips for Preventing Tantrums

Prevention is the best cure and that applies to tantrums as well. When parents know the triggers that often cause tantrums in young children they can act before a tantrum occurs. Preventing a tantrum can save both the parent and child from frustration and anger. Here are the basic steps parents can do to prevent a tantrum before it begins.

Know your child's tantrum triggers. For many children there are certain situations that will almost always trigger a tantrum. When dealing with young children it is often easier to just avoid those triggers until your child is able to handle them. Pay attention to when tantrums are most likely to happen to know what situations to stay clear of. For some it may be long shopping trips, visits with strangers, or crowded places. Whatever the trigger is, keeping your child away from situations that results in tantrums is the simplest way to prevent tantrums from occurring.

Be aware of your child's needs. Often tantrums are not caused by a particular place but by a child reacting to unmet needs. If your child is hungry, tired, ill, or scared he is more likely to act out. By making sure that your child's needs are met in advane you can prevent many tantrums from occurring. Before taking your child out check to make sure that all of his basic needs have been met. This will makes the chances of a tantrum happening less likely.

Pick your battles. Young children are trying to discover their independence and sense of self. Because of this you may often find yourself butting heads with your child as he tries to assert his independence. This can often result in major tantrumserupting over minor issues. Choose only instances when you absolutely have to say no to your child. Allowing your child more freedom over their own will and offering choices keeps him less likely to have a tantrum over minor situations.

Keep a schedule. Not knowing what is going to happen next can frustrate and confuse a young child, which may lead to tantrums. Keep a basic, yetflexible , schedule to help your child feel safe and secure. Knowing that certain events always occur and at predictable times can prevent many tantrums in young children. When you need to change your schedule be sure to your give your young child warning that a change is going tooccur. Suddenly altering a schedule can cause as much frustration as not having a schedule at all.

Keep communication open. For children who are still building communication skills not being understood can also lead to tantrums from frustration. Help your child be able to communicate with you and others and make a special effort to understand your child when you see he is becoming frustrated. Though your child may still become frustrated knowing that you are trying to understand him often helps ease some of the feelings that can erupt into a tantrum. Parents of non-verbal children have often found success in teaching their children basic sign language as a way to communicate. Taking time to understand what your child is trying to tell you can prevent a tantrum from occurring later.

As children grow and change they are often faced with situations, places, and emotions that seem too intense. Releasing their frustration through a tantrum is a common way that young children cope. However, when parents take a few extra moments to helptheir child ease frustrations in a safe and calm way they can prevent tantrums from happening and give their child a lesson in coping. When you see yourself faced with a child that is getting frustrated go through these simple steps and you may be able to prevent a tantrum before it begins.