Managing tantrums in 3 year olds can be difficult

A 3-year-old may have learnt some skills, but controlling their emotions isn’t one of them. Parents will agree that temper tantrums are a part if their toddlers daily routine. And most of them stem from a single seed “not getting what they want,” but this keeps parents on their toes.

What is the reason for temper tantrums at age 3?

Temper tantrums at age 3 are very common as toddlers are learning how to become independent and trying to develop their own ideas, understand their wants, and needs. They are still getting to grips with their emotions and right ways of voicing their discontent. They are still unable to express any of that verbally too well. More than half the kids tend to throw a temper tantrum at least 2 or more times in a week to vent out their discontent.

Are toddler tantrums at age 3 considered to be normal?

Though tantrums in 3-year-old toddlers is considered to be a common weapon in their repertoire, constant temper tantrums can be a tad distressing for parents. They may not be such a big deal once in a while and can be ignored. However, if they are occurring regularly and with increased frequency as well as intensity, parents need to look into what’s causing them and find ways to stop it.

How to deal with temper tantrums in 3 year olds?

Toddlers with tantrum outbursts may lack self-control required to deal with their frustration and anger and may need some help to deal with such emotional situations. Here are some tips parents can use to calm down their children.

• Talk to your child

Regulating a toddler’s emotions takes some time. Just like any other skill, this comes with regular practise and experience. If it is unusual for your child to throw a tantrum, words like “I know you are upset” can help a child gain some composure. After the child has calmed down, asking him “tell me what has happened”, “let’s find out what is troubling you” brings back self-control and helps to encourage acceptable behaviour.

• Take a break

If the child has had a very bad outburst, ask him to move to another part of the house to calm down. In this way, the child learns to move away from conflicts thereby avoiding an angry explosion of emotions. Moving to another area of the house, gives the child some space to cool down.

• Find a way to get the anger out

Suggest the little one some ways to vent out his anger. There may not be any punching of walls, but there are more subtle ways to bring out his emotions. Asking your child to color or draw can encourage him to vent out his feelings.

• Encourage physical activity

Encouraging some form of physical activity can do wonders for your child, especially if the child has a high temper. Taking the child out for karate, swimming, running, or even an hour in the park gets the heart pumping, calms the rage and keeps temper tantrums at bay.

• Try to be flexible

Though parenting is tiring at times, try not to be too rigid with the children. Hearing a constant ‘No’ can be disheartening for the child, but once in a while, try to let the child win. For example, set a time limit for watching television, beyond which you can give warnings to the child. Ensure the agreement is enforced. Let the child know, that No means No.

If the child goes into breath holding spasms with the temper tantrums, you might need to seriously reconsider pampering the child too much and cut back on the unnecessary Yes on everything it demands.

Disclaimer: The information in the article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor.

Also read: 7 Ways To Deal With Toddler Tantrums

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