In that case, you must be wondering when do the terrible twos end? To give you a short answer, terrible twos range from 18 months of age to about age 3. But for some children, they can go on well into the threes. Regardless of when it ends, what you need to know is that, what you are experiencing with your toddler right now is expected toddler behavior and you can end it.
Which by the way, before we start let me tell you, I detest these terms we use to describe normal toddler behaviors. If instead of focusing on these terms we use our energy to observe our child, his environment and support him in a period of rapid development we can all do better for our children overall.
In-fact, we should take it as an indication that our tiny toddler is growing up. Toddlers are growing up fast between the ages , they are learning to talk, walk, run, jump, and experiencing new emotions all at the same time. Therefore, it is easier to use strong reactions and physical outbursts to convey unhappiness or discomfort. Essentially, all bad behaviors are a form of communication.
This can lead to your child objecting to things they used to be OK with, like holding their hand to cross the street or helping them put on their clothes or climb the playground slide.
One minute your child may be happy and loving, the next screaming, crying, and miserable. How do you know when your child is experiencing the terrible twos or behavior that points to something more serious, like a mental health condition? One study looked at temper tantrums in preschool aged-children 3 to 6 years old and noted when the tantrums might suggest a mood or conduct disorder.
Signs to look for include:. Keep in mind the study looked at children older than 2. You can also seek professional help if teachers or caretakers suggest something is wrong or you notice your child is:. Some factors that might predispose a child to more aggressive behavior are:.
Kids at this age are developing independence and a sense of self. Still, some children will breeze through the terrible twos with less tantrums than others.
This is especially the case if they have advanced language skills, which help them express themselves more clearly and cut down on frustration. Parents and caregivers can also help by avoiding some common meltdown triggers. Children are undergoing big developmental changes around age 2. They are learning new gross motor skills, like jumping and climbing, and developing fine motor skills, like stacking blocks and scribbling with a crayon or marker.
However, their verbal skills may lag behind other abilities. Not being able to express their wants and needs can be frustrating to children, often leading to the outbursts that characterize the terrible twos. Without an emotional vocabulary to rely on, a child can quickly become frustrated and feel they have no means to express their feelings other than anger or aggression.
Terrible twos symptoms are different from kid to kid, but there are some behavioral patterns that can signal to parents that their child might be in this tricky developmental stage.
These might include:. However, not all extreme toddler behavior can be chalked up to a passing phase of the terrible twos. When outbursts are so prolonged, frequent, or disruptive that they affect your child's ability to eat, sleep, or attend daycare or preschool, it may be time to talk to an expert.
Pediatricians and child psychologists can help identify whether a child's behavioral problems might be caused by treatable developmental delays, neurological differences, or other issues. There are some things that you can do to help a child and yourself through a garden-variety case of the terrible twos. The first step is to try to prevent common triggers, like fatigue, hunger, and frustration, which can trigger outbursts:.
Toddlers are often happiest when you stick with daily routines, including regular naps and mealtimes. If there's a chance you might not be home when it's usually time for lunch or snack, pack something healthy for your child to munch on. It's a good distraction and will keep them from getting "hangry" in public. Temper tantrums are the hallmark of the terrible twos. If your child pitches one, the most important first step is remaining calm. It usually works.
Instead of trying to talk your child down from a temper tantrum, sometimes the best course of action is simply to shift the focus to something else. Stacy, a mom of a 2 year old, finds coming up with games on the fly works best when her son breaks down and refuses to put on a diaper. The best thing to do is leave the situation immediately. Should we go outside and throw a ball?
I am too! But we have to go home. Even with your best intentions, you might get caught up in the emotions of a tantrum. Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such.
You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances. Getting Pregnant. Popular links under Pregnancy First Trimester. Popular links under Baby Baby Month by Month. Popular links under Toddler Toddler Month by Month. Baby Products. Bookmark BookmarkTick BookmarkAdd save. By Anna Davies.
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