Hello! I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas for calming down my 2 yr old when he gets really frustrated. He sometimes will get so worked up if things don't go as planned, such as when his tower of blocks will fall over, etc. Sounds silly, but he gets really frustrated and I am at a loss for how to calm him down. I know that "reasoning" with a 2 year old is out of the question, but does anyone have any stress-relieving techniques that may help manage his frustration? Thanks!!!
If you can judge a situation is going to cause him frustration, try to guide him away from it if possible. If he's playing with blocks sit close to him when things topple make a joke out of it. "Yay! Can you make it taller this time? Can Mommy help you?" If he's too worked up hold him and soothe him as if he was a baby, lots of shhhh sounds and talk softly to him. "It's ok, we can do it again. Mommy can help you."
I hope this is helpful.
Try reverting his attention to something else "darn those blocks aren't working to well right now, lets not get upset and throw them lets just go play cars for awhile and try the blocks later". Tell him its ok and offer to help fix it "Oh are the blocks not working for you lets not throw them ask me for help and I will help you. What are you wanting the blocks to do lets see if we can fix it". Or just agree with him that what ever the problem it is not fun makes sad or whatever and offer him a hug "Those darn blocks aren't working again you are upset come here let mommy give you a hug". You have to start even at this age trying to teach him the right way to deal with his emotions he probably wont get it yet but being consistent will help and he will eventually get it. It will be easier to start working on it now then waiting until he is older and trying to fix it.
It is hard isn't it? We're in that phase right now. My daughter will get so mad that she throws things. We do NOT allow throwing, so she goes in time out right away. Then after her 2 min time out we just talk to her. You may not be able to "reason" in the aspect that he'll reason back, but you definitely can talk to him. He will understand you. We just say "I know it upset you when the block tower fell over, but it's not ok to hit/throw." Then we find another activity. Removing my daughter from the situation seems to help her calm down.
Not to be an alarmist, but you just described my son when he was that age. His frustrations continued to escalate with such things and we finally had him assessed and learned that he has Sensory Processing Disorder. He began receiving some physical therapy and we began something called "brushing therapy" and these all helped. I would just read over some info on SPD and see if any other "symptoms" sound familiar...
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-proces...
