Tantrums are a normal part of childhood, especially between ages 1–3. Young children often feel big emotions but do not yet have the skills to express or manage them calmly.
Tantrums can include:
- crying
- screaming
- kicking
- hitting
- throwing things
- or running away
While stressful, tantrums are usually a sign of emotional overwhelm — not bad parenting.
Why Do Tantrums Happen?
- tired
- hungry
- overstimulated
- frustrated
- struggling with strong emotions
Young children are still learning emotional regulation. They often need support to calm down safely.
How to Reduce Tantrums
Parents can help by:
- naming emotions like “sad”, “angry”, or “frustrated”
- keeping routines consistent
- avoiding overtiredness and hunger
- and modelling calm behaviour
Praising children when they handle emotions well also helps build emotional resilience.
How to Respond to Tantrums
When a tantrum happens:
- stay calm
- keep everyone safe
- acknowledge your child’s feelings
- and avoid arguing or yelling
A simple response could sound like: “I can see you’re upset.”
This helps children feel understood while they calm down.
After the Tantrum
Once your child is calm, talk briefly about what happened and what they can try next time. These conversations help children slowly build emotional awareness and self-regulation skills.
Tantrums will not disappear overnight, but children learn through repeated experiences of calm guidance and connection.
Supporting Families Through Big Emotions
At Young Discoverers, we support children and families through every stage of emotional growth and development. Visit one of our centres today to see how we support families by helping our children thrive emotionally, socially and developmentally.
0 Comments