How to Handle Aggression in Your Toddler

How to Handle Aggression in Your Toddler

3rd May 2016

How to Handle Aggression in Your ToddlerEven the most well behaved children are prone to aggression every once in a while. Toddlers are at an odd age. They know so many things, but they lack the ability to communicate what they want. This frustration turns into anger and then violence.

It’s a tough phase for families, but it is a phase. Here’s how to deal with it…

1. Look out for the triggers

Kids are pretty simple. It’s usually easy to read their emotions on their faces. If you notice your child falls into bouts of aggression, keep an eye on the cause. Do they get violent when they’re hungry? Or maybe when they’re overstimulated? Maybe they struggle playing with one sibling, but they’re fine with another? When you know the root cause of the problem, it’s often easier to solve. You might be able to avoid those circumstances or head them off before they start.

2. Help them physically release their energy

Older anger management techniques taught people to release their energy by, say, punching a pillow or bean bag chair. But this only teaches your child that violence is an appropriate response to anger. They might not be able to distinguish a pillow from their sister in the heat of the moment.

Instead, head off aggressive behavior by making sure your child has a healthy amount of physical activity every single day. Don’t just walk around outside looking at the flowers. Play games that involve running and jumping. This will release all that pent up toddler energy so aggressive is far less likely.

3. Model proper behavior

It can be tough to stay calm and cool when your child is being aggressive. It puts you on edge and makes you want to respond aggressively yourself. But if you fly off the handle too, you’re just teaching your child that hostility is an appropriate way to communicate. Eventually that’s how your relationship will function all the time.

Do everything in your power to model self-control. Do not respond to anger with anger or you’ll just breed more of it, even if your child bites or hits you.

4. Give it time

Aggression isn’t really something you can lecture away. Yes, you should point out that violence isn’t acceptable and that we should control our anger. But aggression is defeated by long exposure to a peaceful, pleasant home, where everyone is kind to one another. Just because your child is a bit aggressive today doesn’t mean he’ll be like that forever. He just needs time to learn.

Have you ever dealt with an aggressive toddler? What was your strategy?

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Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

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