Children’s Anger and Tantrums

2008 January 28 by: Scott

Most of us can share a story when we were shopping in a store and witnessing a young child throwing a temper tantrum. Child psychology and child behavior specialist agree that letting your emotions “go” can be healthy, but at what developmental stage in life is it inappropriate? Parent child development experts, R.J. Fetsch and B. Jacobson share some of their insights and expertise on how to handle a child’s anger and temper tantrums.

Some Quick Facts:

Tantrums typically appear at age 2 or 3 and start to decline by 4.

Twenty-three to 83 percent of all 2- to 4-year-olds have occasional temper tantrums.

How parents respond is critical in tantrum management.

Parents can learn to calm themselves, state clear rules, notice and compliment appropriate behavior, and teach understanding and empathy.

Ten practical guidelines are offered for parents who want to learn healthy ways of dealing with children’s anger and temper tantrums.

All of us who are parents or who are involved with children and youth can play a vital role in their lives by learning to be the best parents we can be. How? By practicing effective parenting strategies from very early on.

One of the best opportunities for parents and their children to learn effective parenting and anger management strategies is when children get angry or have temper tantrums. If parents can manage their reactions to temper tantrums well, they can manage many other parenting situations.