Teaching Toddlers Tantrums with Playdough Balloons

 

Do you have a tot that has a tantrum for no apparent reason?? 

A happy playing child suddenly is running around screaming and crying? 

Here is a little lesson for them on emotions, helping kids to learn ways to express there emotions is important for getting rid of those tantrums. 

So create STRESS BALLS!!

We saw these here!

She has great instructions on how to make them, basically you fill a balloon with play dough. It works best if you have a tot who is able to help you with this or a second adult to help out. Tie them off and you're done!

We had three different emotions, happy, sad, and angry. Then we talked about how to express each emotion...

HAPPY

SAD

ANGRY

ANGRY again

 Playing with them. 

Monkey 1 got all logical afterwards. She stacked them up and explained them to me. The one on the bottom is angry because he is getting squished, the one in the middle is sad because he wants to be on top, and the one of top is happy because "he's on top of course MOM!"

Amazing how quickly they learn sometimes. I was so proud of Monkey 1, what great insight for a 2 1/2 year old!! Now tantrums stop quicker we get out our stress balls and ask how do you feel? mad? "I understand your mad about...." Plus these things are a lot of fun to play with. We have had them going on 6 months now and they are still lasting!