How to handle your child's temper tantrum

Between the ages of 2 and 4, most children now and then "throw a tantrum." There are ways to deal with your child's tantrum. Your goal is to help your child regain self-control, in a loving, supporting way.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Your goal is to quiet down your child. So first--calm yourself down. Breathe in. Calm down.

2. After you have calmed down yourself, look around and see how you can make the environment quieter and calmer. Turn off the TV or video games, for example. Close the door, it's noisy outside.

3. Quietly and calmly approach your child. Using a soft voice, say: "It's okay, honey. You're okay. Mommy's here. Shhhhh."

4. If your child is throwing things around, try to remove things he can throw. Then approach your child slowly and calmly and put your arms around him, constantly using soothing sounds and words, like "shhhhhhh. It's okay.Quiet down."

5. Allow your child to cry in your arms, and even to yell, continuing to soothe him with your voice. He will finally tire out and calm down. And all will be well again.

6. Only after your child has quieted, see if you can get him to say in words what was bothering him. Say "tell me in your words what made you so angry or scared." It is important to use this opportunity to teach your child to use words to express his feelings.