In the middle of a temper tantrum there seems like nothing worse in the world. Temper tantrums in toddlers is something we all have experienced and it is never pretty. Yet, as a parent, we have a responsibility to help our children grow and learn how better to communicate and deal with their emotions. That is what it is - emotions. I am going to give you a few quick tips on how to change your child's emotions and stop temper tantrums in toddlers (and any other age too!)

The Source of Temper Tantrums in Toddlers

Ultimately what causes your child to go ballistic and throw an all out tantrum is his or her emotional state. They are overwhelmed, upset, angry, frustrated, sad, seeking attention, or a list of so many other strong, unbound, uncontrolled emotions. And yet - emotions are a physiological state, not just some whim. What that means is that you can change the emotions just by making a change in your physiology. It works on adults as well as with children!

Change Their Emotional State

To change their emotional state you need to engage them in a way that causes their body to change. You also may need to interrupt their internal dialog. Children (and adults) can keep an ongoing internal dialog that maintains or escalates their emotional state. It could be telling themselves over and over how it is all someone elses fault or that it isn't fair. Regardless, you need to interrupt this process and then replace it with a new stance and thought process.

Interrupt Their Tantrum

Ask questions that are strange and require your child to think for a moment. Ask them a question about what they ate for breakfast or who they sat next to on the bus today. Ask them to tell you about their favorite color or their favorite flavor of ice cream. It does not matter what you ask, just that it is something completely out of the blue. Throw them for a loop!

Get Them To Change Their Physiology

You need them to change their way of breathing or their posture. Get them to look up by asking them to look at the ceiling or look at the clouds. Get them to play a game that involves trying to breathe out without making any noise. Whatever it is, change their current state. If they are sitting, have them stand up and walk around. If they are walking, have them sit down with you. These are not commands - you need to guide them through it!.