Having a child throw a tantrum can be frustrating for any daycare provider. However, rather than viewing tantrums as catastrophes, we can consider them teaching moments. First, it is essential to understand that tantrums are a common part of child development. They are the primary means young children express their distress as they learn to control and regulate emotions. Read on to learn with Standout Daycare about emotional meltdowns and how to deal with temper tantrums at the Daycare with.
What Causes Tantrums & Emotional Meltdowns?
Tantrums are common in one to four years old and affect both boys and girls equally. Often, frustration can spark a tantrum in toddlers because of the difficulty of communicating emotions via words. Therefore, temper tantrums usually decrease as a child's linguistic abilities grow.
Children's tantrums are also triggered by factors such as exhaustion, hunger, or distress. Another common reason is that toddlers crave more freedom and responsibility than they can reasonably assume. Conflicts arise when kids develop the "I want to do it myself" attitude. It's normal for children to have an emotional meltdown when they realize they can't get their way every time. Over time, kids develop the capacity to cope with disappointment.
How to Deal With Temper Tantrums: Easy Tips for Daycare Providers
Here are some tips for dealing with temper tantrums in toddlers.
Investigate the Reason: It's essential to recognize and respect the child's feelings. If the kid just needs to rest or eat, that's an easy fix. They may be experiencing negative emotions like anger or envy, possibly because of another child. Find the reason behind their behavior and resolve the problem.
Find a Distraction: One of the best ways to put a stop to a tantrum is to locate a distraction right away. Something as simple as saying, "Look! A puppy!" while pointing to an illustration can help stop a tantrum. You can also use age-appropriate toys to get their mind off the issue.
Hold them Until It Stops: If all efforts at distracting the child fail, simply hold them close and make them feel safe. For best results, do this when the child is more distressed than furious and you yourself are in a state of calm where you can speak softly and soothe them.
Do Not Raise Your Voice: Getting angry or shouting back is NEVER an option. It won't stop the child from throwing a tantrum. So, focus on maintaining your composure until the tantrum passes and the child is ready to listen to you again.
Don't Change Your Mind: Surrendering will solve nothing in the long run. Don't cave into a child's demands and say yes after you've already said no. If you give in to the child's tantrums, he or she may learn that it works sometimes. Bribing kids with gifts and sweets is ineffective for the same reason.
Help them Find Healthier Emotional Outlets: Aggression is a common coping mechanism for children who are going through difficult emotional states, such as sadness or insecurity. The first step in providing assistance is learning what is worrying them. You can also get the kid out to a large space like the playing area and let them run around and make some noise. Assuring the child that you understand how they feel will help them communicate their emotions in a healthy way.
Additional Tips for Daycare Providers
It is crucial to inform parents when a child is having trouble or losing their temper at the Daycare. Log it in the Daycare Daily Report and have the parents fill out the Parent's Survey Form to learn more about the child. You can also have a meeting with the parents to find out if the child is going through a change at home or having some other difficulty. You can learn more about strategies for communicating with parents here.
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