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You may have developed some skills if you are an experienced parent, but calming a child who is having a sudden outburst of angry-crying may not be that easy. If your pacification methods are not working and you are at the end of all workable solutions, taking some smart strategic measures can help the child cool down. Overtly sensitive children tend to excessively cry for each demand not met, and that is related to cognitive issues during childhood. (1) Whether one is a new or experienced parent, they will have at least one trick up their sleeves that definitely works, even after many tries.
While teaching the child something valuable, having a moral behind the lesson will help strengthen the bond between the parent and child. So drop your inhibitions and take a look at the following tips to calm kids down and also teach them a thing or two in the process.
1. Show The Correct Reaction When They Throw A Tantrum
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Repeatedly asking a hysterically-crying child to calm down will only cause more tears to trickle down. Give the child some time to calm down on their own. Kids can easily read their parent’s emotions. If the parent is concerned and paying extra attention, the bouts of crying increase. At times like these, try to take a light-hearted approach. Play the ‘Statue’ game with them and ask the child to pause, take deep breaths, and then unfreeze themself. This exercise can also teach kids to learn the importance of patience and help them drop their stubborn behavior.
2. Lack of Sleep Or Proper Diet Can Be A Factor
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Sometimes, parents are at a loss as they are trying to figure out the real reason behind their child crying over every little thing. When it is hard to find the answer, it is better to consider the basics first. For example, their everyday routine. Do they regularly indulge in junk food, or have irregular sleeping patterns? Food and sleep are essential for a child in the growing age to function actively and stay healthy from a cognitive perspective. A study conducted in New Zealand stated that sleep timings can cause weight fluctuations and other behaviors. (2) So, find creative and fun ways to whet their appetite and make some creative food art for them. Set sleep timings to ensure that they get enough sleep for a fresh start the next day.
3. Teach Them The Importance Of Good Etiquette
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Parents generally like to indulge their children and don’t expect much in return. But being grateful can also build their communication skills and empathy for others. That’s when the parent can step in by educating them about the importance of gratitude. Ask them to say ‘Sorry and ‘Thank You’ when it’s due. The joy of sharing and caring automatically follows.
4. Be More Engaging: Ask Them The Reason Behind That Behavior
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Age is not a factor for shutting down someone else’s opinion. Even if they are your own children. If parents look attentive, listen patiently, and recognize their children’s nonverbal messages, it helps with their learning, development, and communication skills. Hear your children out, and pay attention to nonverbal messages.(3) Listening is quite crucial. When the parent listens to their reasons and arguments, it makes them feel important and wanted. Your encouragement will motivate the child to understand and do better.
5. Do Not Use Corporal Punishment
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Never use physical aggression to make the child do something. It may solve a crisis in the moment, but it can cause long-term damage to the way they deal with adult issues later. According to a study, corporal punishment proved harmful for children regardless of the severity level. (4)
6. The Distraction Method
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Imagine your child has finally spotted the expensive, aesthetic lamp that you were trying to hide and is throwing a fit to play with it no matter what. That’s when the distraction method can come into play. Think of other things that make your kid super excited and happy. Play his favorite rhyme or treat them to a scrumptious healthy snack. Show them something completely new and equally colorful. The child will be engaged by the new distraction and you can sneak away that lamp to its new hiding place.
7. The Classic Way: Learning From Mistakes
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It is natural to get protective and apprehensive for parents to make sure that their children always make the right decisions. When the set expectations fall short despite the advice, the atmosphere sometimes gets heated and a scolding session begins. Counsel them with kind words rather than rebuke or insults. Show them the cause and effect of their mistake.
Having laid out these techniques, it stays true that no method is guaranteed to work or work immediately. But practicing these long-term will make the parent-child relationship even more stronger, wholesome, and healthier. Toddlers have a tendency to be hypersensitive but it differs from baby to baby. Be that best friend your baby needs and watch them happily grow as someone to be dearly proud of.
