How Playtime Can Help Toddler Tantrums

July 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Every parent shudders at the thought of toddler tantrums and the ‘terrible twos’, but with a little bit of understanding, patience and some specific playtime tools, you can help alleviate the frustration that is often the underlying reason behind this ‘difficult’ age. Here, leading educational toys supplier and supporter of the UK ‘Make Time to Play’ initiative, DiscoverMe (http://www.discovermetoys.co.uk/) looks at some helpful playtime tools.

First it’s important to understand the reasons for tantrums, which can become particularly prevalent between the age of 18 months and three years of age. The age children start throwing tantrums is key, because this is a vital stage of early development, where a child’s core skills go through a steep learning curve. It is this sudden acceleration in learning and increased assimilation of the world around them which can lead to frustration. For instance, a toddler has just learned to walk (a massive leap, developmentally speaking) yet is still having to hone his or her motor skills and balance. Similarly, a toddler is beginning to learn about communication, expression and social interaction and yet is still struggling to master language. The result is sheer frustration, which often results in the screaming, crying, kicking and breath-holding that heralds a toddler tantrum!

As parents, it’s our responsibility to recognise the frustration behind the behaviour and then work with our child to help alleviate that frustration, thereby avoiding the extreme feelings that lead to a tantrum. In an older child we can fall back on enhanced communication skills but if we ask our toddler why they are frustrated, their inability to communicate verbally will merely increase their feeling of helplessness. That’s where playtime comes in. The right sort of childrens toys can do wonders when it comes to helping a child express their desires, calm their worries and develop skills which will help their confidence and communication.

Once your toddler starts to exhibit signs of frustration (whining, fidgeting, flitting between tasks, sulking or crying) pay attention to the task at hand. If the task is a physical one then try using activity toys to happily engage your child while trying to build confidence in the physical area he or she was struggling with. If frustrations arise around other children, use games which encourage socialisation, understanding and sharing. Notice if particular types of play increase stress in your toddler and consider changing the game. For instance, while physical play is vital for all children at some stage, it’s only natural that some children will have more affinity to physical fun than others. Instill confidence in other areas - try encouraging their creative impulses with musical toys, for instance.

You’ll notice that the notion of confidence arises often here, and that’s because frustration in toddlers can lead to a lack of confidence: what they perceive to be an inability to catch up with an ever-changing world. Playing with your child gives you time to watch and learn the areas which lead to frustration, as well as giving your child the attention it craves at such an exciting yet daunting stage of their development.

Finding the right toys for such an important task is easier than you may think. DiscoverMe has organised its extensive range of leading developmental toys according to the recognised programme of learning and development The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Choose from Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication, Language and Literacy; Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy; Knowledge and Understanding of the World; Physical Development and Creative Development. Having noted which area seems to be leading to the most frustration in your child, choose from toys within the corresponding section so that your playtime can help alleviate those frustrations, instil a sense of confidence in your toddler and put an end to those tantrums. Browse the departments at http://www.discovermetoys.co.uk/.