I am very grateful that my children are past the age of tantrums. I remember those debacles and public tantrums very well. Tantrums are not only embarrassing (when you are in a public place), but they are also difficult to handle. A child who screams is often inconsolable, and it is difficult to know exactly what to do in this type of situation.
First, it is important to understand that tantrums in young children are normal. Young children are still developing and do not have the ability to communicate their feelings properly or to handle emotions appropriately. When a child feels frustrated, angry, or upset, a tantrum is the result of their inability to communicate their wants, needs, or feelings properly. As children grow older and are more able to manage their emotions, the frequency of tantrums tends to decrease.
A study published in the journal Developmental Psychology identified a rather interesting link between children prone to tantrums and success in adulthood. The study looked at 745 participants over a 40-year period, from 1968 to 2008. Based on these observations, psychologists determined that children who were inclined to “break the rules and challenge parental authority” were more likely to have financial and professional success later in life.
“The results revealed direct and indirect influences of students’ characteristics (responsible student, non-compliance with rules and defiance of parental authority, and teacher-evaluated studies) throughout life on career success, after adjusting for differences in parents’ socioeconomic status and IQ at age 12,” the study authors explain. These results could mean that children who are prone to tantrums are successful in their careers and in their finances because they are not afraid to stand up for themselves, to make their wishes heard, and to achieve their goals later.
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