Imagine observing your child’s tantrums with the analytical eye of a researcher. What if you understood that tantrums often unfold in a predictable sequence and that certain responses could either help or hinder the situation? Recent studies conducted by psychologists at the University of Minnesota and the University of Connecticut shed light on these pressing questions.
As reported by NPR, the researchers equipped toddlers with onesies containing tiny microphones to capture their tantrum sounds. Over time, they gathered audio samples from over 100 tantrums, allowing them to delineate the typical progression of a tantrum. (Listening to 100 tantruming toddlers must have been quite the auditory experience!)
The study revealed that toddlers’ vocalizations manifest in recognizable patterns, with various sounds emerging and receding in a rhythmic fashion throughout a tantrum. Understanding what constitutes a “normal” tantrum can aid parents and professionals in discerning whether a child’s outburst is simply a momentary frustration or indicative of a deeper issue.
Upon analyzing the recorded tantrums, the researchers discovered that vocal expressions such as screaming and whimpering often occur together. This may not come as a surprise to anyone who has witnessed a toddler in full meltdown mode at the grocery store. Interestingly, the common belief that tantrums consist of two distinct phases—anger followed by sadness—has been challenged. Instead, anger and sadness are closely linked, often happening simultaneously. The peaks of anger, characterized by loud screams, are interspersed with softer, sadder sounds.
When faced with a child in distress—perhaps sobbing over “too much dinner,” as my daughter once did—what can a parent do? According to Dr. Melinda Gray, one of the study’s co-authors, the key to hastening the resolution of a tantrum lies in navigating through the peaks of anger. Once a child moves past anger, they typically exhibit sadness, which prompts a desire for comfort. The researchers suggest that doing nothing during the peak moment of anger may be the most effective strategy, although this can be quite challenging for parents.
Dr. Gray identifies “anger traps,” situations where parents might feel compelled to intervene, even when the child’s demands are illogical. For instance, one child, Mia, threw a tantrum over the desire to no longer have feet. Her mother, attempting to cheer her up, suggested they could cut off her feet, further escalating the rage. Another incident involved Mia wanting to sit at the corner of a round table, leading to an all-out meltdown. The findings indicate that ignoring the peaks of anger, without offering comfort, is a more effective approach. Recognizing that the moment a child throws themselves to the floor often marks the onset of their descent into sadness can be crucial.
While the Mayo Clinic recommends ignoring tantrums followed by time-outs, this method hasn’t been fruitful for us. My child simply refuses to stay on the “naughty chair,” which leads to a cycle of physical struggles and engagement during their rage. We’ve found more success by placing him in his secured room for a brief period until the noise subsides, after which we offer comfort.
Viewing tantrums through a scientific lens might seem like an intriguing exercise, perhaps even a distraction during an interminable meltdown. Ultimately, the most reassuring takeaway from this research is the knowledge that tantrums eventually subside, allowing both parent and child to exhale in relief. As Dr. Gray points out, “No one can stay that angry for long. It’s exhausting.”
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Summary
This article discusses new research on toddler tantrums, revealing their predictable patterns and providing strategies for parents to manage them effectively. Insights from the study suggest that ignoring peaks of anger can help reduce tantrum duration, emphasizing the interconnectedness of anger and sadness in a child’s emotional outburst.
Keyphrase: toddler tantrums
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