5 Great Ways To Battle Temper Tantrums

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Today our friend Monisha Iswaran from My Deal has shared with us some great tips for battling those temper tantrums. 

5 Great Ways To Battle Temper Tantrums

By Monisha Iswaran

 

Let’s be honest, we all have moments in life where we feel like sinking to the floor for a much needed meltdown – so can we really blame our little ones from doing just that from time to time? Hardly. Honestly, sometimes you feel like screaming back, or getting all worked up yourself, particularly if you’re stressed from work or low on sleep. There are of course definitely better ways of dealing with the situation and 5 of them are listed below.

 

1) Have A ‘Grown Up’ Conversation

 If you want your child to act like a grown up, sometimes you have to treat them like one. A tantrum usually occurs because of a particular incident, or words that triggered your little one into their downwards spiral – so find out what it was that set them off. Of course, some tantrums come about simply because your little one was tired, hungry or bored. However, it can never hurt to find out why they think they are crying and kicking up a fuss. By talking it through, they might realize there is no real reason for their frustration tears, and you may all simply end up having a giggle about it.

 

2) Distractions Are A Parent’s Best Friend

As a parent, it’s always handy to have distractions on hand, for anytime you are desperately running out of ways to change your child’s mood. It’s a great idea to have playthings and supplies with you at all times, especially when your kids are still little. Outdoor playsets are a great option for getting your kids out of their funk and putting smiles back on their faces. That way they get outside into the fresh air and play their problems away. Toys and games generally do the trick as well. You can browse discount dolls online, or find a selection of affordable, yet exciting toys that your kids will love. Having simple items they can play with on hand will be a lifesaver if you find yourself at a restaurant with a screaming child.

 

3) Don’t Give In!

There are of course those tantrums that take place in the store because your little munchkin has spied something they want, that you don’t think they need…. Or for another similar reason. Sometimes you just have to stick to your guns, as annoying and difficult as this can be, and wait out the wailing noises. Giving in and buying your child whatever they want is definitely not the solution, and is a step towards raising a demanding kid that believes they are entitled to whatever they want. Generally, if you’ve made an instinctual decision as a parent, it is probably the right one – so stick with it!

 

4) Prevention Tactics: Keep To A Routine

The best way to deal with a tantrum? Prevent one happening in the first place. This sounds close to impossible, but it isn’t! Many child psychologists have emphasised the benefits of keeping to a routine, in order to keep your child’s behaviour and moods under control. Having a systematic order to the day, keeping to similar bedtimes and having set amounts of TV times are all ways that you can regulate your little one’s life so that they aren’t thrown by dramatic changes to their schedule. This is bound to reduce the number of temper tantrums you have to deal with from day to day.

 

5) Dealing With Tempers: Get The Anger Out!

 Some kids honestly do have problems with their temper, and tantrums aren’t just a one-off occasion. This is definitely a trait that is better recognised and dealt with at a young age – rather than allowing it to develop into a full blown problem later on in life. You should teach your little one safe ways of handling their outbursts of anger. For example, walking away as soon as they feel the anger rising, or engaging in regular physical activity to release pent up frustrations.

Remember, no matter the type of tantrum, or the reason why it was caused – there’s always a sensible way to a put a stop to it. Keep your cool, take a deep breath, remind yourself of your role as a parent and calmly deal with the situation. You can handle this!

#1 Way To Help Your Child To Speak

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Lachlan Ward, 4, shares a secret with Ava-Grace Angeles, 4, at Amaze Early Education Centre, Silkstone. Picture: Tara Croser

Many of you have been interested in how to stimulate more speech from your toddlers so I thought I would share some top tricks that other parents have used at each stage of their child’s development…

 

From birth to six months… – Talk to your baby, and also talk to others when she is near. She won’t understand the words, but will like your voice and your smile. Then plan quiet time. Babies needs time to babble and play quietly without TV or radio or other noises.

Between six and nine months… – Games have big impact on children, so ask your baby questions, like “Where’s doggie?” If he doesn’t answer, show him where.

Between nine and eighteen months… – When she points at or gives you something, talk about the object with her. “You gave me the book. Thank you! Look at the picture of the baby rolling the ball.”

Between twelve and fifteen months… – Give your child choices so they better associate words to wants “Do you want milk or juice?”

Between eighteen and twenty four months… – Encourage your child to talk to friends and family. He can tell them about a new toy. Engage your child in pretend play. You can talk on a play phone or have a party with the toy animals.

Between two and three years… – Ask your child to tell you the story that goes with a favourite book. “What happened to those three pigs?” Reading spurs language development.

The above are just examples from other parents, but remember… every child is unique so don’t be shocked if your child speaks earlier and more clearly than you ever expected. At Amaze, our Educators love watching children learn to speak, discover how to tell stories to each other, and create word games to play with their parents.

Call or click HERE for a free tour today and see why we give your child “An Amaze-ing Start to Learning!” Enrolling Now for 2017: 07-55303122

Have an Amaze-ing Day!

Lucy Cook

Amaze Education

Hinterland Parenting Circles

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A Problem Shared is a Problem Solved

Parenting can be a really tough job. At times, we feel at our wits end and that we don’t have the tools to deal with the behaviours our children are bringing us. Each month our Mudgeeraba Childcare Centre on Hinterland Drive holds a parenting circle. This circle is open to all and is also attended by Centre Director Kara Magill and Amaze General Manager Lucy Cook. Kara and Lucy have 7 children of varying ages between them and Lucy’s family live with special needs. We hope that all who attend can learn from each other, gain a parenting tip or trick or two, or simply feel their load is lightened by sharing.

Speak to Miss Kara for details:SAM_0101

[email protected] or 07 55303122

or keep an eye on our facebook page www.facebook.com/AmazeEducation for our next event

Easy Games to Play with Little Ones

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10 simple games to play with young children 

It’s easy to get bogged down with the ground hog day that is feeding, bathing, cleaning and do on. We need to remember to take time out to ‘play’ with our children. When was the last time you sat down for a tea party, gave a ‘horsey’ ride, put on a silly voice, sat in a blanket fort or set up a train set together? Here are some quick and easy games to try.

1. What’s the time Mr Wolf?

2. Hide and Seek

3. I spy – use age appropriate clues. Eg. I spy something that is red. I spy something with four legs. 

4. Simon says – using actions eg. Simon says can you balance on one foot, can you hop on one leg, hop fast/slow, can you jump like a kangaroo, can you close your eyes and touch your mouth/ears/nose/eyes. 

5. Matching activities – get two of a wide range of items eg forks, pens, blocks, shoes etc. Remember the smaller and more similar the items the harder the game, the older the child. Place half the objects in a pile on the floor. Keep the other half in a bag or pillow case. Pull out the objects one by one and ask your child to find it’s match. The more adjectives you use the better eg “can you find the blue brush/shiny bowl/rough rock etc”

6. Do you know what’s missing? – around the age of 8 months, children develop  object permanence. Basically. If you cover something up they know it’s not gone for good. Once they achieve that you can play this game. For this game choose three items from the matching game, or ask your child to do this. Have your child close their eyes or turn away. Cover one object up with a tea towel. Ask your child if they know what’s missing? The more objects the harder the game. 

7. Sing an action song – 5 little Ducks went out one day, heads shoulders knees and toes, dingle dangle scarecrow. There are plenty on Google/you tube. Don’t be shy! Remember your child doesn’t care if you are out of tune. 

8. Do a dance eg hokey pokey. Once again search on you tube if you are not sure of the actions. 

9. Roll down a hill together. 

10. Guess the food – chop up small bits of different fruits/food. Ask your child to close their eyes and see if they can guess the fruit by taste. 

If you are really stuck for ideas. Check with a child care teacher!