There’s nothing like finding your darling baby has turned into a terrible two, and whilst a substantial component of tantrumdom is down to unavoidable frustration, there are still excellent ways, through food and exercise, to help your toddler handle the difficulties of development.
What is a toddler tantrum?
As children develop a sense of themselves, they also find they have a problem – their emotions aren’t universal. This comes as a shock to them … and the aftershock has effects on everybody they come into contact with, especially when those aftershocks include yelling, throwing themselves on the floor and using the word ‘no’ as a noun, verb and adjective all day, every day.
Things that cause tantrums are often unavoidable, like weather, surprises, and loud noises. Others are completely manageable like hunger, tiredness and making sure your little one feels listened to.
Exercise
Victorian nannies were onto something when they took their charges out for long walks on Wimbledon Common etc. Toddlers don’t do well in hot, stuffy environments but they often end up there … because parents feel the weather outside is windy or rainy. Central heating and too much clothing both contribute to a toddler’s discomfort. Taking a toddler for a walk, even in appalling weather, can be invaluable to helping their body clock recognise the difference between day and night, as well as simply giving their small systems a chance to build muscle, develop coordination and express their feelings.
Simple stretching and jumping games, baby yoga and running around the garden can all help your toddler let off steam and some kind of exercise should be taken every day. Not only is it good for your little one, it will improve your own health too.
Food
As every experienced nanny knows, regular nutritious snacks are vital to maintaining a small child’s energy levels. A quarter-slice of toast with peanut butter, half a banana, or some tangerine slices, can all help your toddler avoid a tantrum in two ways.
- Food restores a toddler’s system, which can rapidly become depleted – they really do use a lot of energy
- A snack also gives a toddler a chance to focus on the present moment, which can be useful if they are developing frustration with something they can’t do (or you or nanny won’t let them do!) like vacuuming the cat or driving the car!
Miracle foods for toddlers
- Porridge, or an oat-based granola, can help keep your toddler’s mood in check. The slow energy release that oats provide allow a stable morning, unlike other more sugary breakfasts which give up their glucose too rapidly, leading to a hungry, grumpy little one.
- Salmon – it’s a real wonder food, but it can be a tricky one to get your toddler to eat. Try making a fish pie with mashed potato and cheese, or salmon flaked into an omelette. Finding a way to get this oily fish into your toddler is worth it, because the the omega-3 fatty acids it contains improves concentration and brain activity.
- Eggs were once unfairly demonised, but today we know they are a perfect toddler food because they help make dopamine, the chemical that improves mood, and also improves motivation. So if you have a toddler who’s struggling to master a skill, a nice boiled egg can give them a real boost.