It is normal for toddlers to throw tantrums. But some kids may continue with their outbursts even as they grow older. At this stage, they need help to control their emotions and learn how to regulate their emotions. There are ways through which you can help your child develop emotional awareness, restrain their behaviour and cultivate self-regulation skills.
Most kids are often unpredictable, and parents may find it difficult to handle their behaviour. Some kids may unnecessarily show their bad temper and may experience frequent meltdowns. Again there are kids who are impulsive and might have a strong reaction while others may suppress their emotions for some time leading to emotional outbursts later on. You may often feel helpless in such situations. Under such circumstances, you can teach your kids to regulate their emotions.
How to Help Kids Regulate Their Emotions
As a parent, you can show them ways to express their emotions in a more appropriate way. Some kids have a difficult time with self-regulation while some are unable to develop the skills if parents often offer to solve their problems and calm them down.
Kids need to be taught self-regulation skills from an early age. For instance, if your little one is having difficulty in brushing his teeth, begin by helping him put toothpaste on the brush. Praise your kid after he finishes brushing and slowly repeat doing the same for other activities too.
Kids often have the tendency to show their irritability. As a parent, you can encourage them to reflect on their behaviour. Practicing mindfulness is another step that can help kids to focus on the present rather than in the past or the future.
There are ample ways to influence your child’s behaviour. Here are some ways that parents can infuse in their kids to develop their self-regulation skills.
Balancing kid’s mood during study time
Your child could be irritated while handling his studies. Try not to linger too much around your kid as he may feel that you are forcing him to do his work. For instance, if your kid finds a math assignment frustrating, he can calmly ponder as to how to handle it. Let your kid take periodic breaks. You can check on your kid at intervals and praise him for his effort.
Be reasonable
Most kids love to play video games. They may throw tantrums if you insist to stop playing the game and do some other activities. It applies to any activity they love. Your kid may vehemently refuse to give up the activity at once. As a parent, you can allow him to play games for 3-4 minutes or give him a time frame to finish the activity and then coax him to hand over the video or finish the activity. Hug your kid when he does it. It would help to calm his mood.
Handling tantrums in a mall
Younger children may express irritability while you are shopping at a mall. Try not to get discouraged with your kid’s behaviour. You can regulate his behaviour by making frequent short visits to the mall. Allow your child to walk with you without holding his hand. It would make him feel independent and more responsible for his behaviour outside,
Distracting attention of toddlers
Most toddlers are unable to handle their behaviour as they are not fully equipped to make you understand how they feel. They may get cranky and insist on having things their way.
You can help your toddler avoid upsetting circumstances by diverting his attention from those situations. It would help your child to quieten down effectively.
Have a calm-down kit at home
At times, your child may be overwhelmed with emotions or simply whine for no reasons. You can give his favourite toy or food to pacify his behaviour. Arrange a box of his favorite stuff at home such as colouring books and crayons, pictures of animals, scratch stickers, cardboard games or blocks that may help to engage his senses and help your kid to calm down.
Addressing problems of your child
Sometimes your child’s emotions could cause problems for him. If he cries a lot, his peers might leave him alone and not play with him or he may find it difficult to participate in physical education as he gets angry easily if he loses. Such issues can be worked out together.
Help your child identify the problem. Find out strategies that may help your kid. Your child may be able to develop some emotional solutions to the problems he is facing outside. Talk to your teacher in school and seek support if needed. Sometimes bringing in a new perspective might help in dealing with difficult situations.
Empathise with your kid
You should empathise with your kid and validate your child’s negative feelings so that it can affect him positively. Try to teach emotional awareness to your kid by coaching him to verbalize how he feels.
Encourage him to solve problems on his own. As a parent be warm, accepting and responsive to your child’s emotional needs. It may give him confidence to handle himself more positively outside.
Helping kids to be more self-reflective
Be patient if your child keeps on grumbling endlessly. Do not ignore, discourage or react negatively to your child’s emotions. Be patient and talk about his feelings. Help your kid reflect on his behaviour as it will help him to analyse about what went wrong and how he can cope with his emotions better next time.
Self-awareness will help your kid manage his anger, withdrawal, anxiety or aggressive behaviour in a more positive way. His relationships with peers, friends, family, teachers, and social groups may change for the better.
As parents we can help our kids to self-regulate a wide range of emotions. We can enable our children to acquire this crucial skill. By creating a supportive environment at home, we can help benefit our child for a lifetime. All they need is some encouragement and direction from you to help him handle his emotions appropriately.
Hope you found this article useful! Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
Leave a Reply