The Logic Behind the Toddler Temper Tantrum

Witnessing a child’s temper tantrum is painful for all, but knowing why it occurs can help parents and caregivers weather the storm.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota and the University of Connecticut have revealed a method to the madness when it comes to childhood temper tantrums. The new science behind the kicking, screaming and shouting involves the pattern and rhythm of the sounds that emerge from toddlers during such tantrums. The details of the analysis were recently published in the journal Emotion.

According to the researchers, once the pattern of vocalizations that emerge and fade during temper tantrums are understood, they can assist parents as well as teachers to provide more effective responses to such outbursts.

In addition, the rhythms of the tantrums can help clinicians discern the difference between tantrums considered to be a normal part of a childhood development, and those that warn of a possible disorder.

For their study, the researchers began by collect various tantrum sounds. Study co-author James A. Green of the University of Connecticut explained, “We developed a onesie that toddlers can wear that has a high-quality wireless microphone sewn into it.”

He said that parents could put the onesie on their child and simply press a go button to record several hours of the child’s activities via a recorder fed by the microphone. This allowed any ensuing tantrums that might occur during the time the child was wearing the apparatus to be recorded.

In all, the researchers collected a high quality audio recording of more than one hundred tantrums.

When the researchers analyzed the audio they had gathered, findings revealed that strongly distinct audio signatures were present among the different tantrum sounds.

By placing these sounds on a graph, Potegal and Green discovered that the different sounds emerged and faded in a specific pattern in which sounds such as screaming and shouting typically came together.

Regarding the patterns they found, Potegal stated that “screaming and yelling and kicking often go together,” while “throwing things and pulling and pushing things tend to go together.” He said that they also noted “combinations of crying, whining, falling to the floor and seeking comfort—and these also hang together.”

However, the study showed that while it has long been believed that temper tantrums simply begin in anger and end in sadness, that both emotions were actually intertwined.

He noted, “The impression that tantrums have two stages is incorrect. In fact, the anger and the sadness are more or less simultaneous.” The findings showed that vocalizations of sadness continued to underly the bouts of screaming and shouting. Understanding the rhythm of tantrums can provide parents with a sense of control and help them know when to begin intervention.

To attain the goal of ending the tantrum as quickly as possible, one must get the child beyond the peak of anger to the downswing where only sadness is left, at which point the child will seek comfort. However, because the fastest way to achieve this is to do nothing during the display of anger, this is often difficult for parents and caregivers alike.

Potegal pointed out that there is an “anger trap” that can easily be fallen into. He said that even asking simple questions can go a long way to prolonging a temper tantrum, as tantrums tend to have a flow of quickly building to a peak of anger.

Green noted, “You know, when children are at the peak of anger and they’re screaming and they’re kicking, probably asking questions might prolong that period of anger.” He went on to explain, “It’s difficult for them to process information. And to respond to a question that the parent is asking them may be just adding more information into the system than they can really
cope with.”

Getting toddlers through a temper tantrum is a trying experience to say the least. Many parents feel that they will never make it through this childhood stage due to feelings of restlessness, embarrassment and guilt.

By viewing these tantrums from a scientific perspective, maybe parents can gain some assurance, and renewed hope for getting past all the kicking, screaming, and crying. It’s worth a try to stand pat and do nothing when the next temper-related thunderstorm rolls. Being prepared can perhaps help parents and caregivers better weather the storm.

Posted in: HEALTH