By Dolly Viscardi: Special to the HT
I an adult — this declaration was spoken forcefully by a tiny little person: a toddler. Leaving the bookstore storytime, I moved next door to a table in the adjoining coffee shop. I watched a common scenario unfold as a small hand suddenly stretched from the table’s edge to grasp an intricately carved white chess piece. The voice commanding anyone within earshot was forceful, albeit high and squeaky. He used the take-no prisoner’s voice familiar to those fluent in tantrum-ese. He had just “kinged” his mother and grandfather, as he escaped their grasp in his impromptu game. Everyone who has raised or taught children has spent a lot of time traveling through the land of the very young to the kingdom of the teenager. The last stage includes a youngster’s final destination — adulthood.
The unique language is spoken most effectively by the youngest, yet all children maintain their mastery of it, even after their voices change. Learning any new language usually requires many years. This emerges usually before a first birthday. The screaming and jerky body movements come easily to them. Many adults resort to this behavior throughout their lives.
This little guy not only interrupted my coffee break between events, he brought back the years from both teaching and parenting where I learned to handle most outbursts in public. Stand your ground with an interesting diversion for the first few minutes, remaining calm. I might have intervened before his mother pulled him away toward the snack bar. Enraged by her interference he continued to vent as he resisted her hold on him.
She herded him over to get a snack at the coffee bar. It happened so quickly I didn’t have time to react.
I like coffee, but I love reading with children who wander up with a book. I wanted to declare to the little guy the words I have found that often stops these sudden eruptions recently. Of course, I would have to use tantrum-ese for my own declaration: “I am an … author!” These magic words that have worked with squirmy, defiant, little ones in my recent school visits have been successful at overcoming their need to be the king or queen in all life situations. Congratulations, graduates!