We have all been there. In the middle of the supermarket, our precious toddler decides that he wants to open a box of cereal. We clearly state “no” and give ample reason of why we can’t open the box. Ultimately, the whole thing ends with our child, screaming and thrashing about on the ground. All eyes in the supermarket are on us.
It is a very unnerving experience. We might have the tendency to think, “Why are they doing this to me?” “Why can’t they just BEHAVE?”
First of all, rest assured, they are not misbehaving and it is really nothing personal. First of all, the simple fact is that your toddler simply just can’t help themselves. As newer research shows, their brain has not matured to the point where they are able to self-regulate their behavior. Specific areas of the brain including the cingulate cortex and several regions within the prefrontal cortex are involved in development of self-regulation and are not fully developed until early adulthood.
What we can do instead is try to help prevent tantrums by eliminating some of the triggers that start them. Here are 5 tips for eliminating tantrums from your child’s daily routine.
- Provide a structured and predictable daily routine and schedule.
- Avoid over stimulation by eliminating distractions: turn off the TV, dim lights, provide a quiet space.
- When interacting with your child, try to be fully present.
- Anticipate transitions and provide ample warning to the child or use picture schedules or a timer to warn of transitions.
- Teach and talk about feelings and review home rules regularly.
-Whitney Bushnell, Montessori Pre-school Teacher