Parenting Advice >Parenting Advice > Time Out

Tantrums

They are sometimes called the 'Terrible Twos' but tantrums can start as young as 9 months - sometimes earlier - and can go on until your child is 3 or 4 or longer! However, young children are more likely to have tantrums because they are unable to express themselves and can therefore become very frustrated. Most children will stop throwing tantrums as soon as they are able to express their feelings or needs in other ways, as long as tantrums have not been rewarded.

Tantrums will, however, continue if children are 'rewarded' as a means of placating them. This is teaching a child a pattern of negative behaviour and should not be encouraged. Of course you may not think, or be aware that you are rewarding your child for having a tantrum, but as soon as you give in you are effectively rewarding him. My personal philosophy and the golden rule should be: Don’t reward the behaviour that you don’t want to see! Instead, reward your child when he behaves in a calm and polite way. In this way you are reinforcing that behaviour. It's as simple as that!

Although tantrums can last a long time, you can nip them in the bud early by using 'Time Out'. My youngest charge used to have the worst tantrums imaginable for a while. It didn't matter where we were, or the reason she was throwing one, they were always loud and long! I always used 'time out' with her, and soon she stopped having the tantrums. She gradually learned that they weren't producing any results whatsoever. I always remained consistent, as did her parents, so that she quickly learned better ways to communicate. One day the tantrums stopped, just like that!

Tantrums are normal but can be upsetting to deal with if you are not used to them, so if you feel you would like to know more about the best ways to deal with tantrums and other behaviour problems, then get in touch. I can help, just take a look at the services provided on the Services page .

Back