Whether you are dealing with a toddler throwing a tantrum at home or at a daycare center, these tips and tricks apply. It is important to keep in mind that as an adult, you must be in a clear, level-headed headspace to effectively help a toddler who is having a hard time. Here are a few tips to tackle tantrums:
Stay Calm and Grounded
Get down to their level – Sometimes it can be hard to justify taking the time to get down to a toddler’s level, especially at a daycare center. However, this small step will make a huge difference because it communicates to the toddler that you care about their feelings.
Acknowledge Your Child’s Feelings
Ask what is making them upset – It can be tempting to just take something away from a child and leave them crying, especially when you are working at a daycare center and caring for several children. However, it is crucial to take the time to have a conversation with a child about unsafe behavior if you’re looking to keep the child from repeating that unsafe behavior in the future.
Offer Comfort, Not Correction
Validate their feelings – Telling a toddler that it’s okay to feel sad or mad, but it’s not okay to throw things or hit others, will help them understand what they did wrong. It’s also important to give toddlers an alternative way to channel their emotions so that the next time they come up, they have healthy ways to express them.
Set Clear and Gentle Boundaries
Explain why something is unsafe – When you take the time to explain to a toddler why a certain behavior is unsafe, they can start developing a sense of understanding. This is why phrases such as “because I said so” are so frustrating to hear being said to a toddler. The developmental stage of a toddler requires an explanation as to why they can’t do something; otherwise, they will repeat the same behavior.
If you are looking for a daycare center that adopts these practices, contact Wee-Folk Child Care Center today! We proudly provide childcare services to Lackawanna, Hamburg, Orchard Park, and Blasdell, NY.
