My first tantrum

[crafty]

Well today I've had my first overblown tantrum from a DCK. I just feel like sharing it and see what you guys think. As you know ... you are my only colleagues I think I did ok and I don't really have any concerns other than I hope this doesn't turn out into a tantrum phase

So this almost 2.5 year old girl has been with me for 7 months now. She's very smart, kind and adorable. Lately however she has been having issues following simple instructions like cleanup time, sharing and she's being intentionally messy at lunch time like pouring out her milk and shredding her food with her fingers. Of course here there is always a consequence. I think this little girl was also very tired today which did not help. Anyway so it started while we were outside when it was time to go back in she kept just saying No but still came to the door however very slowly. I ignored it as she was still doing as she was instructed. Then at lunch time I had to take her cup away as she started playing with it. After a few minutes and quick ''Will you be drinking like a big girl now ?'' She got her cup back only to get milk everywhere as she decided to play with it again. So I took it away and told her she would be getting Sippy cups from now on until she could drink better. I also pushed her booster chair away from the table as she was mostly focused on screaming/playing with her friends than eating. At cleanup time she started yelling 'NO NO NO'' and stomping her feet on the floor...Like a full blown tantrum. Never got this from this child yet and this is part of our regular routine so it came to no surprise to her. I told her if she wanted to participate at our story time she would need to help us or she would go straight to her matt. The tantrum continued so she went to her matt and she was forcing herself crying/screaming and coughing. When it was time for everyone else to go to sleep I tucked her in and asked her to calm down and try to be quiet as her friends needed to sleep. She fell asleep after 5 minutes. I have been giving her a lot of timeouts / consequences lately as she often refuses to cooperate or takes toys away from friends after multiple warnings. She is able to make amends when she needs to usually. I am just wondering, is this a phase ? Could it be more ? How would you prevent this from blowing up more every day ?

Thanks for your feedback as always !

[mimi]

Is she getting enough sleep? I would also have her use a sippy cup and if she starts disrupting meal time just remove her from the table and have her sit on her own and let her know when she behaves well then she can return to the table. Just make it clear what your expectations are and follow through. Hope this helps

[playfelt]

I like how you handled it in the sense of making it clear to the child that there would be consequences but giving her the chance to make amends in behaviour as in not just punishing at the first instance. She chose not to cooperate so that means she chose the consequences. Once she realizes that the protests get her no where she may stop having them or at least as often.

It does sound like a lack of sleep may be part of the problem. This has been a bad week with the long weekend and easter chocolate and visiting family at a time when we were just getting over winter illnesses and the clock time changes. Next week or week after will be better right....

[crafty]

I DO believe she is lacking sleep but that as been a forever problem for her. Apparently she has had her first EVER 8 hours sleep LAST WEEK !! When I found out I was shocked ! Anyway I do have a feeling she also does get away with a few things at home that doesn't fly here.

I'll continue with what I've been doing I just HOPE it does not turn into a long and bad phase or get any worst. She does seem to be in a better mood now so. I've been giving her lots of positive attention.

[Momof4]

You handled it all very well by the sound of it, great job crafty. My first step is always to ask the parents what's up? Then if it's happening at home I want us to use the same consequences and make sure the child learns they can't get away with the behaviour at either place. You're also right about bad sleep patterns being a huge problem. Hope things get better for you.

[crafty]

Thanks guys. I am not to worried but I sure hope it does not get worst. I've been all by myself for the past 3 days. My husband is out of town so it sure is good to be able to just talk about what went on in my day lol.

I did talk to the parent at pick up also. Hope it goes better tomorrow

[DisneyPrincess]

Yep I see that, been there too... Let me tell you that weather is not just playing with our nerves, the children are also outta control. Its hard.

You did great, I would of done the same.