Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger

Description of technique for dealing with temper tantrums:
When my 1.9 yr old pitches his temper tantrums, my first normal reaction used to be getting just as angry as he was. One day, he was throwing himself on the floor, screaming at the top of his lungs, for what I couldn't figure out right that moment. But, I decided not to react the same way and expect different results. I did totally the opposite. I sat down and put my hands in my lap and just waited. I would look into his eyes, when he allowed me to, and wait. In between screams and cries, I would let him know in a soft, calming voice that 'everything is okay' and ask 'what can I do?' Even though he's not even two, he seemed to get the message through the tone of my voice. It didn't happen overnight. It took weeks of doing this consistently. And now, it still happens occasionally of course, but not as bad.

I started handling 'temper tantrums' this way because I remembered that I was the adult and he was the child. I'm supposed to know not to treat anger with anger. And in doing it this way, my baby is learning at an early age that acting out in anger isn't an acceptable emotion to get what you want any quicker than taking a calm approach. It sounds like an adult way to handle a situation, but it worked. I wish I had known it was okay to try things like this with my nine year old. But, hindsight is 20-20.