

Use an upbeat tone when asking your child to do something.Other methods to prevent tantrums include: Lying down for 15 to 20 minutes or resting while you read stories together at regular times of the day can help prevent tantrums. If your child no longer takes a nap, ensure that they still have some quiet time. Make sure that your child eats and sleeps at their usual times. Then, calmly discuss the issue and offer alternatives without giving in to your child's demand.

If so, do not talk or react until the behavior stops.

Your child may follow and continue the tantrum. If your child is safe and not being destructive, going to another room in the house may shorten the episode because now the drama has no audience. One strategy to minimize the length and severity of the tantrum is to ignore the behavior. Temper tantrums are an attention-seeking behavior. Keep your child safe until the tantrum has ended. If your child has a tantrum away from home, lead your child to a quiet place, such as the car or a rest room. You can also try gentle distraction, switching to activities your child enjoys or making a funny face. A quiet, peaceful response and atmosphere, without "giving in" or breaking the rules that you set, reduces stress and make both of you feel better. Shouting at or hitting your child will only make the situation worse. You are not a bad parent, and your son or daughter is not a bad child. It helps to remember that tantrums are normal. When your child has a temper tantrum, it is important that you stay calm. Being tired, hungry, or sick, can make tantrums worse or more frequent. They get worse between age 2 to 3, then decrease until age 4. Tantrums usually begin in children 12 to 18 months old. Tantrums are worsened by the fact that the child may not have the vocabulary to express their feelings. This desire for control often shows up as saying "no" often and having tantrums. It is normal for children to want to be independent as they learn they are separate people from their parents. Temper tantrums or "acting-out" behaviors are natural during early childhood.
