Getting ready for camp involves so many things; organization (getting out the door), social skills (how will my kid interact with peers?), and also, emotional regulation (how will they cope with stress?). Let’s look at the emotional regulation aspect to help you know what to do if your child has a temper tantrum. Tantrums can hit at all ages and can be all shapes and sizes, but fortunately, the strategies to nip them in the bud are consistent!

Tip 1: Know Your Triggers
Did you know that tantrums usually occur in specific situations and as a result of common feelings? Examples include:

• Seeking attention (for a person, place, or thing), escaping an unpreferred activity or situation, or obtaining a tangible item.
• Transitions, mealtimes, and stopping a preferred activity.
• Big feelings in public places.
• Tantrums to express frustration, especially when verbal skills aren’t fully developed.

Tip 2: Stop Tantrums Before They Start (AKA Prevention)
There are ways to prevent tantrums from starting, including priming, teaching skills, and reinforcement.

• Priming: Give your kid a head’s up before transitions, meal times, and before activities are ending. 
• Teaching Skills: This means coping skills and life skills. Littles will be frustrated when they can’t achieve something immediately, so walk them through the process. Coping skills such as breathing techniques help your child self-soothe before a tantrum gets out of control.
• Reinforcement: Avoid negative reinforcement and try positive reinforcement instead.

Tip 3: What Not to Do
Despite your best intentions, you may be unintentionally prolonging or starting tantrums! Don’t:

• Think you can reason with your kid or get them to see what they did wrong. 
• Bribe your child.
• Give in to demands.

Tip 4: Try This Instead
These strategies are research-backed to help nip behavioral problems like tantrums in the bud.

• Ignore the behavior whenever possible (we know sometimes you can’t).
• Try differential reinforcement, otherwise known as “pay attention to good behavior and minimize attention to bad behavior”.
• Try short time-outs: Reconnect after 10-15 seconds of calm behavior and acknowledge good choices!

With this knowledge in your back pocket, you’re on the path to success to minimize tantrums in your life. Remember, these strategies apply to kids of all ages (because we know teens can throw a tantrum too!). Best of luck, and see you this summer!