Ways To Deal With A Child’s Temper Tantrum

Temper tantrums are common in young children and most children have temper tantrums between the age of two and four years. It is significant to understand that child tantrums can be avoided and they can be taught better coping mechanisms.  

Some ways to deal with temper tantrums of children:

• The worst thing a parent can do with the child having a temper tantrum is to react to it; remaining calm helps handle temper tantrum better and he/she will cool down.

• Temper tantrum is not necessarily a way to get one’s way; children raise temper tantrums even when they are frustrated, want attention or have a physical problem like low blood sugar, pain or digestive problems; scheduling activities around your child’s needs helps. If the child is hungry or tired feed him and allow him to sleep; if he is frustrated comfort him and if the child feels ignored, spend some quality time with him.

• Offer coping mechanisms to your child having temper tantrums; suggest that he/she calm down or else they go to their room. If the child calms down, compliment him; if he continues firmly insist he stays in his room for some time. It is best to introduce these coping mechanisms when the child is young.


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• Parents face stress and frustration as much as children with temper tantrums; but nip off your frustration. If you find it difficult, make sure the child is safe and spend a few moments away from him/her. You could enlist the help of a responsible person to look after the child or just lock him in the room; the time off would calm both of you.

• Never give in to tantrums as they can then become launching points for children; yielding to them would only reassure them that it is right to throw temper tantrums. Instead aim at making long term changes to avoid future outbursts; it could be leaving the scene by going to the restroom, car or crying room in church.


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•  Some children get animated during tantrums, so take steps to prevent injury; it could be removing dangerous objects from the reach of the child or steering the child away from the danger. Avoid restraining a child when he has a tantrum, be gentle and hold him firmly. When the child throws a tantrum due to disappointment, frustration or unfamiliar surroundings speak reassuringly and give the child understanding.

• Tell your child firmly you will not talk to him/her until one calms down; this will reassure the child that his/her behavior is unacceptable and you care for him/her. Never reason out with a child when he/she is full blown; show empathy to the child and listen to him/her once he/she cools down.

•  Last but most important do not punish the child physically; discuss his/her behavior once the child is over with the tantrum with better alternatives of behavior.

All this makes for great ways to deal with a child’s temper tantrums.