Child Psychology: Temper Tantrums & Behavioral Development PDF

Child psychology Childhood temper tantrum and behavioral development Prepared By Dr. Azza M. Abd El-Aziz  Childhood temper tantrum and behavioral development Outlines: 1-Introduction 2-defination 3- Manifestation of temper tantrum 4- Dimensions of temperament 5-Coping s...

Child psychology Childhood temper tantrum and behavioral development Prepared By Dr. Azza M. Abd El-Aziz  Childhood temper tantrum and behavioral development Outlines: 1-Introduction 2-defination 3- Manifestation of temper tantrum 4- Dimensions of temperament 5-Coping strategy about tantrum in children 6-Preventive Temper tantrum 7- When to seek help  Introduction Temper tantrums ‫ نوبات الغضب‬or "acting-out" are natural behavior during early childhood. It is normal for children to want to be independent as they learn they are separate from their parents. Temperament involves constitutionally based individual differences in reactivity and self- regulation, in the domains of affect, activity and attention.  Definitions of temper tantrums - Temper tantrums are unpleasant and disruptive behaviors or emotional outbursts. ‫انفجار عاطفى‬They often occur in response to unmet needs or desires. Tantrums are more likely to occur in younger children or others who cannot express their needs or control their emotions when they are frustrated. - Temper tantrums are an attention-seeking behavior. One strategy to minimize the length and severity of the tantrum is to ignore the behavior. If your child is safe and not being destructive, going to another room in the house may shorten the episode because now the drama has no audience.  Manifestation of temper tantrum * In infancy and early childhood: fearfulness, anger, frustration, sociability, attention orienting. * In early child-hood: subdominant response, infants who are prone to negative emotional expressions, low adaptability, high reactivity, and low emotional regulation. They have been described as having a ‘‘difficult” temperament style.  Manifestation of temper tantrum (cont.) Starting from infancy and toddlerhood, early temperamental characteristics may influence children’s developmental pathways and predict psychopathology later in childhood or adolescence. Infancy appear to predispose a child to develop specific forms of behavioral and emotional problems Particularly, negative emotional reactivity appears to be a non- specific risk shyness and fearfulness.  Dimensions of temperament Dimensions of temperament includes: Emotional responses: the child’s general quality of mood is easy-going or difficult, it is a reaction to new or unfamiliar people, objects or events Attention orientation: The child is easily distracted from any ongoing activity is engaged in, or how easily the child gets distressed and distractibility.  Coping strategy about tantrum in children * It is important that you stay calm. It helps to remember that tantrums are normal. They are not your fault. You are not a bad parent, and your son or daughter is not a bad child. Shouting at or hitting your child will only make the situation worse. * A quiet, peaceful response and atmosphere, without "giving in" ‫ استسالم‬or breaking the rules that you set, reduces stress and make both of you feel better. *Try gentle distraction, switching to activities your child enjoys or making a funny face. If your child has a tantrum away from home, lead your child to a quiet place, such as the car or a rest room. Keep your child safe until the tantrum has ended.  Preventing temper tantrum Methods to prevent tantrums include: - Make sure that your child eats and sleeps at their usual times. If your child no longer takes a nap, ensure that they still have some quiet time. - Lying down for 15 to 20 minutes or resting while you read stories together at regular times of the day can help prevent tantrums. - Use an upbeat tone when asking your child to do something. Make it sound like an invitation, not an order. For example, "If you put your mittens and hat on, we will be able to go to your play group."  Methods to prevent tantrums include: - Do not battle over unimportant things like which shoes your child wears or whether they sit in the high-chair or booster seat. - Safety is what matters, such as not touching a hot stove, keeping the car seat buckled, and not playing in the street. - Offer choices when possible. For example, let your child pick what clothes to wear and what stories to read. A child who feels independent in many areas will be more likely to follow rules when it is a must. Do not offer a choice if one does not truly exist.  WHEN TO SEEK HELP: If temper tantrums are getting worse and you do not think you can manage them, seek the advice of your health care provider. If you are not able to control your anger and shouting. If you are worried that you may react to your child's behavior with physical punishment. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you call your pediatrician or family physician if Tantrums get worse after age 4 Your child injures themselves or others or destroys property during tantrums Your child holds their breath during tantrums, especially if they faint Your child also has nightmares, reversal of toilet training, headaches, stomachaches, anxiety, refuses to eat or go to bed, or clings to you Thank you