Toddler Temper Tantrums Could Equal Success In Future -New Study Gives Details

Temper tantrums are an emotional outburst associated with children, ranging from whining and crying, to screaming, kicking and stomping among others.

This emotional outburst is often sudden and need not be provoked before a child who is prone to throw one begins to cry and scream their lungs out for the most flimsy reason ever.

No parent likes watching their toddler kicking and screaming in the middle of the supermarket or public places.

But it turns out the embarrassing tantrums our children throw could be a good thing, according to a new study. They could signify future successes in their lives.

Developmental Psychology published this interesting study, where they found a link between kids who were prone to bad behaviour and success in their later years.

Researchers examined children when they were 12, and then re-examined them at the age of 52. For the first study, they looked at socioeconomic status, intelligence and a variety of behaviours such as inattentiveness, pessimism, rule-breaking and school entitlement.

Then for the second study, the researchers examined their occupational success and annual income. As a result, they found out that kids who misbehaved were likely to do better in school and earn more money later in life.

This shocking result suggests that bad behaviour could equal a better adult life, and we’re not sure how we feel about that.

Temper tantrums are a bit of a mystery for many parents, as they can seemingly come out of nowhere and can feel impossible to stop. If you’ve ever tried reasoning with an angry kid, you know this feeling all too well.

But American paediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp views them as ‘child’s way of expressing their frustration as they things develop language and problem-solving skills’. Best practice for this kind of behaviour is to remain calm, even though it’s easier said than done.

You could even try the gentle parenting method to keep yourself and your child calmer more often. Why not give it a go? Whilst we don’t condone rewarding bad behaviour, it’s nice to know it could benefit them in later life at least.

After all, we all want our children to be successful when they grow up. Maybe all those tantrums are worth it in the long run.

SEE ALSO: Toddler Tantrums: 7 Things You Should’nt Do During One

However, below are 7 tips to help you handle your child’s temper tantrums better

1. Take A Deep Breath

The first thing to do is to maintain your cool. Tantrums are not a pretty sight and it can get on your nerves as a parent. Threatening and yelling at him will only cause him to heighten his outburst because at the time when your child is swept in a tantrum, he is unable to listen to reason.

In general, staying with your child during a tantrum is a good idea. Stomping out of the room can make him feel abandoned. The storm of emotion he’s going through can be frightening to him, and he will appreciate knowing you are nearby.

That is not to say  you cannot walk out the room for a few minutes, if you are getting really frustrated. You can also pick your child up(if it is feasible and he isn’t throwing such a fit), maybe you will be able to comfort him. Yet some experts say that approach rewards negative behaviour and you should ignore the child instead.

Through trial and error, you’ll learn which approach is right for your child. However you choose to handle the tantrum, consistency is key to making it work.

2. Stay In Control

Remember you are the adult, however long the tantrum lasts, do not give in to unreasonable demands nor should you negotiate with your screaming toddler.

try not to be worried about what other people around think of your screaming child and parenting style, if they are parents, they can relate. Besides giving in to you screaming toddler’s whims will make him believe that it a good way to get what he wants, which can cause him to be fixated on such behaviour.

If your child’s outburst escalates to the point that she’s hitting people , throwing things, or screaming nonstop, pick him up and carry him to a safe place, such as his bedroom; and let him know why he has been separated ( You hit Aunt Joy) and let him know he will remain there till he is calm.

READ ALSO: 10 Things Not To Do When Your Toddler Throws A Tantrum (Part 2)

3. Use Time-Outs Sparingly

Time out is a type of behavioural modification that includes separating a person from a place where they have perpetrated an unfavourable behaviour.

A time-out can be helpful when your child’s tantrum is especially intense and other techniques aren’t working. Placing him in a quiet and boring corner can help him get back to good behaviour.

Be sure to tell him why he is been put in a ‘quiet’ corner and that he can come out to play once he is calm.

4. Talk It Over With Him

When the dust settles and your child is happy, hold him close and talk with him about what happened. Acknowledge his tantrums and explain to him in simple language, so you can both be the better for it.

You can attempt to use teach him to express his frustration in words so that you can actually help. You could say for instance;

“You were very angry because you did not want to wear that particular shirt. I’m sorry I didn’t understand you. Now that you’re not screaming, I can find out what you want.”

5. Let Your Child Know You Love Him

Once your child is calm and you’ve had a chance to talk to him about his tantrum, give him a quick hug and tell him that you love him. It is important to reward good behavior, including your child being able to settle down and talk things over with you.

READ ALSO: 7 Tips to Help Deal with Toddler Tantrums

6. Try To Avoid Tantrum Triggers

Try to study your child and note which situations push his buttons.This will help you plan ahead and limit the incidence of tantrums. If your child falls apart when he is hungry, carry snacks with you. If he gets cranky in the late afternoon, take care of errands earlier in the day.

If you sense a tantrum is on the way, try distracting your child by changing locations, giving her a toy, or doing something she doesn’t expect, like making a silly face or pointing at a bird.

7. See To It That Your Child Is Not Overstressed

Although daily tantrums are a normal part of the mid-toddler years, it’s a good idea to watch out for possible problems. Has there been upheaval in the family? An extremely busy or harried period? Parental tensions? All of these can provoke tantrums.

If your child’s tantrums seem overly frequent or intense (or he’s hurting himself or others), seek help. Your doctor will discuss your child’s developmental and behavioral milestones with you at routine well-child checkups.