Terri_7 said:A student showed up at school where I work as a School Psychologist had a handprint on his face. By law, I had to report to the CPS. I do not reinforce any type of physical abuse including spanking or slapping to my children. My son hit his brother and I asked him if it was ok for me to hit his daddy? and he looked surprised and said "no" and I said " that is why we do not hit each other in our family, not acceptable" For me, modeling is the best reinforcer. I would feel like a hyprocrite if I spank my kids and then my kids hit each other. But that's me.
Temper tantrums are emotional outbursts generally displayed by children during early childhood, between the ages of 1 and 4 years. They are considered a normal, healthy part of child development.
During a temper tantrum, children may engage in behaviors such as screaming, shouting, hitting and kicking.
Some children have temper tantrums regularly, whereas others rarely experience them. The frequency of tantrums is related to the individual temperament of the child. Temper tantrums affect boys and girls equally.
Many people mistakenly believe that temper tantrums are caused by poor parenting skills. However, they typically stem from a combination of factors, including immediate circumstances, the child’s age, communication skills, temperament and developmentally healthy behavior.
Parents and caregivers can handle temper tantrums by distracting the child, removing the child from the situation, ignoring the child or holding the child.
In some cases, temper tantrums may be prevented or minimized. This may be achieved by setting realistic limits, helping children adhere to a regular schedule and offering children legitimate choices.
The causes of temper tantrums tend to vary according to a child’s age:
Infants. Although babies may cry frequently, they do not really experience temper tantrums. Infants cry because they have no other way of communicating their basic needs (e.g., food, blanket, clean diaper) to parents and other caregivers. Infants may also cry because they have colic.
Crying infants can be frustrating for parents who are unable to determine which need is not being met. Studies indicate that tending to a baby’s needs quickly and holding and comforting an infant during crying spells helps the infant become more secure, which may result in a dramatic reduction in crying over time.
Toddlers. There are several reasons that a toddler may have a tantrum. Most children in this age group become frustrated easily and strive for autonomy or a sense of independence. In addition, they have yet to master basic language skills. They may find it difficult to verbally express their feelings and ask parents or caregivers for the things that they desire. Toddlers also do not possess many problem-solving skills. For instance, toddlers may have a tantrum because they find it difficult to remove a shoe. Tantrums occur more often when toddlers are overexcited, overtired or hungry.
Preschoolers. Preschool-age children typically have fewer tantrums than toddlers. They are better able to communicate with parents and caregivers and have developed additional coping skills. However, children in this age group may still have tantrums in some instances. For example, they may become frustrated if a parent refuses to take them to a toy store. Some preschoolers learn that tantrums may produce positive results when a parent or caregiver gives in to their demands. If parents continually reward children for their negative behavior, the number of tantrums will likely increase.
School-age children. Children in this age group typically experience fewer tantrums than younger children because they have improved problem-solving skills. However, school-age children can still become hungry, overtired and cranky. Additionally, they are dealing with more complicated social situations, such as forming and maintaining friendships, working as a member of a team and participating in group activities. Children who find it difficult to express themselves or who have impaired problem-solving abilities are more likely to experience angry fits or temper tantrums. However, school-age children can learn to acknowledge feelings of anger and frustration and cope with them in an acceptable manner.
Parents or caregivers should remain calm when a child is having a temper tantrum. If a parent shakes, spanks or screams at a child in the midst of a tantrum, the tantrum will probably worsen. Instead, parents should lead by example and control their emotions to the best of their ability.
The first step in stopping a temper tantrum is firmly asking the child to stop acting out. If this request is ineffective, parents should pause for 30 seconds to determine the next best course of action. There are four additional ways to handle a temper tantrum. They include:
Distracting the child. Parents can attempt to shift the focus of the child’s attention. For instance, if a child has a tantrum when a parent takes away an unsafe object, the parent should provide the child with a safer item. This method is especially effective with toddlers.
Removing the child from the situation. Parents can attempt to take the child to a quiet, isolated area to calm down. This discipline technique is commonly known as a “time-out.” If the tantrum occurs at home, the child may be taken to his or her bedroom. If it occurs in a public place (e.g., grocery store) the child may be taken outside or to sit in the car. However, a child should never be left alone or unattended in a public place.
Time-outs generally last for a specific time period according to the child’s age (typically one minute per year with a five-minute maximum). If the child tries to leave the designated location before the specified time period or refuses to quiet down, the time-out begins again.
Ignoring the child. As children become older, they may have tantrums to gain attention from parents. Parents can attempt to ignore the child and continue with their normal routine. If parents are uncomfortable witnessing the tantrum, they can leave the general area or distract themselves in another manner (e.g., turn on the television).
Holding the child. Parents can attempt to physically restrain children if they are acting in a manner that may be potentially harmful to themselves or others (e.g., hitting, kicking). Parents should attempt to be as gentle and reassuring as possible and let the child know that they recognize that they are angry and will hold them until they calm down. Children become frightened when they cannot control their emotions, and many find this approach to be comforting.
It is very important for parents to allow children an adequate cooling-down period before attempting to discuss the tantrum. It is very difficult to try to reason with children who are not in control of their emotions. After a sufficient period of time has passed, parents should discuss the tantrum with their child and teach alternate ways to handle such situations in the future. Preschool- and school-age children can learn the following skills:
How to ask others for assistance
When to go somewhere else to gain control over their emotions
How to try to accomplish their goal in another manner
How to verbalize their feelings instead of acting out physically
Parents should not reward a child after a tantrum by giving in to their requests. Rather, parents should praise the child for regaining composure. In addition, children learn by watching their parents. Adults who have adequate control over their own behavior and approach problems without emotional outbursts provide good models for children to emulate.
Temper tantrums can be very unsettling for children. After a child has a tantrum, parents should comfort and reassure them that everything is fine. It is important for parents to communicate that they still love the child although they do not approve of their actions.
In some cases, temper tantrums may be prevented or minimized. Parents and caregivers should be aware of signals that may indicate a tantrum is imminent. They can do so by studying the child’s tantrums for any patterns and asking themselves questions such as:
Where and when do the tantrums typically occur?
Do the tantrums typically involve anyone in particular?
What events typically occur before, during and after each tantrum?
Setting realistic limits and helping children adhere to a regular schedule can also often prevent tantrums. It is especially important that a child have consistent mealtime and bedtime schedules.
Parents should also strive to offer their children legitimate choices. For instance, they should not ask children if they are tired unless they are prepared to allow them to take a nap. If a parent wants a child to take a nap at a specific time, they should tell the child that it is naptime rather than making the child feel as though he or she has a choice that does not exist.
Other methods for preventing and minimizing temper tantrums include:
Give the child sufficient attention. Children prefer negative attention to no attention at all. Therefore, parents and caregivers may prevent tantrums by recognizing and rewarding positive behavior with attention.
Allow the child to have some control. Letting children make certain choices, such as whether they want a grilled cheese or peanut better and jelly sandwich for lunch, may fulfill their need for autonomy and prevent potential tantrums.
Keep forbidden objects out of the child’s sight and reach when possible. This reduces the likelihood that struggles will develop between parent and child. Parents can also “child-proof” the home, which results in the need to enforce fewer restrictions.
Say “no” only to things that are very important.
Provide the child with adequate warning that an activity will soon end. This helps prepare the child for change.
Help the child avoid activities that are too challenging. For example, parents should only allow children to play with age-appropriate games and toys. Permitting children to participate in tasks they will be unable to accomplish sets them up for failure and frustration.
Recognize the child’s limits. For example, if it is obvious that a child is sleepy, parents may want to postpone running an errand.
You call the child is spoil brat.. I disagree.. Depend the child who have ADD/ADHD/OR OHERS... Are you still label them spoil brat? I believe I think you're wrong..
Me? Do you mean "You" in general way?
Yes, it's very wrong to label temper tantrum child as spoil brat. Every toddlers included well-behaved, any disorders etc have temper tantrums. It is something not wrong if toddlers never have temper tantrum in their life. Temper tantrums is normal in health development. I just cannot beleive that people label children as spoil brat that's because they throw temper tantrums.
Temper tantrums are vary emotions.. what the child trying to say... something out burst angrily.. Parent are try their best and talk the child first.. until calm down.. then you can communication your child better ways.. If you don't willing deal w/your child who have temper tantrums.. and send your child goes into the room.. I think it's wrong because child want to tell you something but you put the child go room.. isn't solution!
I only have 1 child and she's a very good girl. The last time I've had to go thru her tantrums was when she was about 2. She kept biting people and me. I bit her back and she didn't like it and has never bit people again.
If I spank her, she would not understand that biting is wrong. she bit me and I said NO you do not BITE! i bit her back. it worked.
Yes it's true...
Yes it's same with Alan, too. I don't spank him but bite him back to show how hurt I am... He never bite me back ever again.
Spanking does help in some ways but alot of parents don't believe in spanking which is fine. Sometimes it doesn't help.
Yes I'm one of parents who don't beleive in spanking. I spanked my first son and didn't spanked my second son when they were little. I saw how difference behavior, my both sons have and know what I did to my oldest son is wrong and spank doesn't solve anything but show them wrong in my form of disipline. I learn to improve my own mistakes.
Yes, I aware that each parents have different view to raise their children which is normal.
My daughter is very very good with her behavior. there are days when she doesn't listen and is hard-headed but she doesn't give me tempers. She's just the type to do things her own way and once things go wrong she learns from her mistake. I would tell her things that she can get hurt from but she thinks it won't happen but it happened. I don't have a problem with her temper, only to get thru her head to understand the meaning of not to do it when its risky. I'd tell you how many times she's gotten hurt.. zillion of times because she wants to do it her way.
Yes, I know what you mean. It's same with my son but I have no problem with my both sons (soon to be 14 and 11 years old)... Yes they have their temper or subborn sometimes but I still have no problem to convince them with communication and their respect/manner behavior...
on the other hand... she's almost 10... i got 2 more years to see if I'll get any from her cockiness with me. So I'll have to wait and see.
QUOTE=Cheri;712906]Every child goes through temper tantrums when they're in their toddler's years. It just the way of expressing their anger and frustration. It's normal and very common.
When my son was in his toddler year, at the supermarket he would lay on the floor crying out of blue, I just remain calm and ignore the behavior, and then he sees me walking away he would get up and follow me. or I will pick him up and leave the store, leave the groceries in the cart and walk out.
.I don't care if the store manager gets upset at me, My child is not going to make a fool out himself in public and having it to keep continue annoying other shoppers
[/QUOTE]Because if you response to the tantrum it'll get worse believe me, I've seen some mothers would drag the child up, or spank the child, or yell at the child, and the child would keep screaming more louder and louder and the louder it gets it annoys other people out in public. The child is trying to manipulation you the parent, don't let it bother you, then the child will know it doesn't bother you, then eventually he/she will stop just like that. It doesn't take long for the child to go on with it's temper tantrums.
Usually temper tantrums lasted a short period of time, the child is just feeling angry and frustration for some reasons, and only the child knows why, we don't. So why make it worse by trying to punishment the child? It's not going to get better, it'll get worse and the child will know it bothers you and will continue act that way.
Yes, it's general doesn't matter whoever calling names to the child is spoil brat! That what I disagree w/this wording!Me? Do you mean "You" in general way?
It was happened at 2 days ago, Alan, my young son dressed for go out to play snows with his friends. He wear only waterproof jacket... I told him to wear warm snow-trouser (I know he hates it very much)... He said he don't feel comfortable with it... I explained him that if he stay outside then have to wear waterproof snow-trouser to keep his legs warm. He said No... I said okay, you can't go outside without wear waterproof snow-trouser. I ignored Alan and walk off and left him grumply in mud-room. 10 minutes later Alan came to me with grumply look and went upstair to wear snow-trouser and then back to me and said: "here, satisfy"... I smile and praise him... Alan smiled and go off outside... and stay outside of my garden for long hours with his friends. Then came home with wet but good thing is he wear waterproof snow jacket and snow-trouser.
on the other hand... she's almost 10... i got 2 more years to see if I'll get any from her cockiness with me. So I'll have to wait and see.
..Spanking is not abuse.
Every child goes through temper tantrums when they're in their toddler's years. It just the way of expressing their anger and frustration.