The Language of Tantrums

By Alice Toler

Authors: Alice Bain

Scientists have now studied and deconstructed the toddler temper tantrum, giving us a much better idea of what’s actually going on behind all of that screaming…and a few better pieces of advice on how to deal with them. The old common wisdom is that tantrums always begin in anger and progress towards ending in tears, but vocal…

Authors: Alice Bain

Scientists have now studied and deconstructed the toddler temper tantrum, giving us a much better idea of what’s actually going on behind all of that screaming…and a few better pieces of advice on how to deal with them. The old common wisdom is that tantrums always begin in anger and progress towards ending in tears, but vocal analysis shows that kids actually sway back and forth between anger and sadness as the tantrum goes on. There’s a kind of pattern to them that can help us understand what’s going on for the child a little better.
The best way to defuse a tantrum? Don’t react. Rising with anger to the child’s anger, or even just addressing it in any way, just prolongs it.
What’s Behind A Temper Tantrum? Scientists Deconstruct The Screams

Read more http://catalystoutsidethebox.blogspot.com/2011/12/language-of-tantrums.html

This article was originally published on December 16, 2011.