Full out tantrum: Consequence?

[playfelt]

All kids will try things at least once while in our care but they will quickly learn it was not their brightest move for sure. This is an age where language abilities, quest for independence but wanting the comfort and security of being a toddler is constantly in conflict and emotions are totally out of proportion. The worst thing you can do is ignore the tantrum because being ignored leads to escalation but at the same time it needs to not feed into it either. Most kids this age I can still lift so I would immediately fold her arms around to stop the thrashing and then pull her down into my lap on the floor till she calmed down - the holding of the arms is a calming technique for most kids because they get out of control moving and don't know how to turn it off - so when the adult puts a stop to the movement they can then settle themselves down.

If you have the space and want to just move the child to a space that gives them room to kick and get it out of their system but far enough that it is as if you are not available to watch - ie it doesn't serve it's intended purpose may put a stop to it provided you go to the child as soon as they have stopped and let them know you are ready to talk them about what they need.

[zoomama]

You voiced exactly what I was thinking, torontokids. Saying it would NEVER happen in MY home immediately puts the fault with the other provider. I haven't had it happen yet, but being a mom of a 7-yr old, i've learned those "nevers" do sometimes happen. The key isn't in it never happening, but in how it's handled and what the child learns.

Personally, I would remove the child from the group, place him/her in a separate room, tell them that once they calm down I will return to talk. Then I would close the door behind me and let them tantrum it out. Afterwards, when the child is in a rational frame of mind, is the time to discuss and implement consequences. IMO, and experience with my own ds.