Management of Temper tantrums
The tantrum is a feature of the ‘terrible twos’ toddler whose protestation to
frustration is a dramatic reaction of kicking, shouting, screaming, throwing
or banging of the head. Tantrums are more likely to occur if the child is
tired or bored.
Management Reassure parents that the tantrums are relatively commonplace
and not harmful. Explain the reasons for the tantrums and include
the concept that ‘temper tantrums need an audience’.
Advice
• Ignore what is ignorable: parents should pretend to ignore the
behaviour and leave the child alone without comment, including
moving to a different area (but not locking the child in its room).
• Avoid what is avoidable: try to avoid the cause or causes of the
tantrums (e.g. visiting the supermarket).
• Distract what is distractable: redirect the child’s interest to some other
object or activity.
• Praise appropriate behaviour.
Medication has no place in the management of temper tantrums.
The tantrum is a feature of the ‘terrible twos’ toddler whose protestation to
frustration is a dramatic reaction of kicking, shouting, screaming, throwing
or banging of the head. Tantrums are more likely to occur if the child is
tired or bored.
Management Reassure parents that the tantrums are relatively commonplace
and not harmful. Explain the reasons for the tantrums and include
the concept that ‘temper tantrums need an audience’.
Advice
• Ignore what is ignorable: parents should pretend to ignore the
behaviour and leave the child alone without comment, including
moving to a different area (but not locking the child in its room).
• Avoid what is avoidable: try to avoid the cause or causes of the
tantrums (e.g. visiting the supermarket).
• Distract what is distractable: redirect the child’s interest to some other
object or activity.
• Praise appropriate behaviour.
Medication has no place in the management of temper tantrums.