Parent Helper

Absolutely, here's a potential approach to address Fern's tantrum-throwing in a positive, nurturing manner. **Step-by-Step Strategy** 1. **Stay calm**: First and foremost, it's crucial that you stay calm even if Fern is having a tantrum. Reacting in a calm, composed manner models the behavior you want Fern to learn and helps prevent the situation from escalating. 2. **Acknowledge her feelings**: You could say something like, "Fern, I can see that you're really upset right now." This validates her feelings, letting her know it's okay to have strong emotions, but that it's how we handle them that matters. 3. **Offer comfort and assurance**: Provide comfort by staying close by but give her space if she needs it. You might say, "I'm here for you when you need a hug." 4. **Wait it out**: Avoid trying to reason with Fern in the midst of her tantrum. It's usually ineffective at this stage. Instead, wait until she has calmed down to have a conversation. 5. **Discuss and Teach**: Once Fern is calm, you could discuss the tantrum. Use simple language like, "When we get angry, we need to take deep breaths and use our words, not our actions." 6. **Reward Calm Behavior**: When Fern manages to calm down, reward her behavior. "You did a good job calming down. I'm proud of you." 7. **Be Consistent**: The key to success with this approach is consistency. Be patient and consistent in your responses, and over time, you'll likely see a change in Fern's behavior. **Activities and Resources** 1. **Children's Books**: Books like "Calm-Down Time" by Elizabeth Verdick or "Little Monkey Calms Down" by Michael Dahl can be very effective in teaching toddlers about managing emotions. 2. **Breathing Exercises**: Teach Fern simple breathing exercises that she can use to calm herself. Make it into a fun activity by pretending to blow up a big balloon or blow bubbles. 3. **Feelings Chart**: Use a feelings chart to help Fern identify and express her emotions. This can make it easier for her to communicate how she's feeling, which might lead to fewer tantrums. 4. **Role-play**: Use dolls or stuffed animals to role-play different scenarios that could lead to tantrums. Show Fern how her toy handles disappointment or frustration, and praise the toy for using its words and calming down. 5. **Consistent Routine**: A consistent daily routine can help reduce tantrums as Fern would know what to expect throughout her day, which can provide a sense of security and reduce frustration. Remember, at 20 months, Fern is still learning to handle her emotions, and tantrums are a normal part of this process. It will take time and patience, but with consistent guidance, she'll get there.