How to Help a Toddler Work Through a Tantrum
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 headspace, to effectively help a toddler who is having a hard time. Here are a few tips to tackle tantrums:
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.
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,
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 important to also give toddlers an alternative way to channel their emotions so that the next time they come up they have healthy ways to express them.
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.
