Navigating the world of childhood development can be confusing and overwhelming for caregivers, and temper tantrums are no exception! These intense emotional outbursts are challenging to handle and can leave you wondering what is considered normal and when to seek help.

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What are Temper Tantrums? 

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Temper tantrums are common in early childhood, particularly during the toddler and preschool years when they are learning to regulate their emotions and communicate their needs. Temper tantrums tend to peak between the ages of 1 and 3, and these emotional outbursts of intense frustration, anger, or distress are expressed through crying, screaming, kicking, hitting or even biting. Tantrums can be both alarming and challenging to manage, particularly when they occur in public settings. They are often triggered by factors such as hunger, fatigue, overstimulation, illness, or inability to effectively communicate. 

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Strategies to Manage Tantrums 

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• Stay calm
• Set clear and consistent boundaries
• Provide opportunities for your child to make choices
• Model coping skills such as deep breathing 
• Help your child transition to a different area or activity such as a calm-down corner
• Offer comfort, reassurance, and validation of their feelings (“I can see that you are feeling frustrated right now.”) 

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As your child learns to identify/communicate their feelings and implement calming strategies, their tantrums will likely reduce in frequency and intensity over time. 

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Signs to Seek Help

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While occasional temper tantrums are expected,the following signs may indicate need for further support:

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• Frequent and intense/extreme outbursts that significantly disrupt daily life 
• Prolonged tantrums lasting for an extended period of time: A rule of thumb is that a tantrum typically lasts no more than 15 minutes or more than 5 times per day
• If your child is beyond their preschool years, this may indicate difficulty with emotional regulation
• Tantrums triggered by minor frustrations or occurring in inappropriate situations may signal underlying emotional or sensory processing challenges
• Frequent aggression towards others or self-injury during tantrums may indicate emotional or developmental difficulties

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How Can Occupational Therapy Help? 

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Occupational therapy plays an important role by addressing underlying sensory, emotional, and developmental factors that can lead to severe temper tantrums. 

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Sensory Integration: OTs assess a child's sensory processing abilities and develop strategies to regulate sensory input, which can help reduce sensory overload and meltdowns.

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Emotional/Self-Regulation: OTs teach coping skills and emotional regulation strategies, which allow children to identify, express and manage their emotions more effectively.

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Environmental Modifications: OTs work with caregivers to create supportive environments specific to the child's sensory and emotional needs, which can minimize triggers. 

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Parent Education: OTs provide caregivers with insights and strategies to understand and respond effectively to their child's behavior, which helps create a supportive environment.

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Temper tantrums are a normal part of childhood development, although certain signs may indicate atypical behavior requiring professional intervention. By recognizing these differences, you can seek timely support from an occupational therapist and other professionals to help your child thrive. If you believe your child may benefit from personalized intervention, click here to take our intake screener and schedule an evaluation. If you simply have questions about your child’s behavior, click here to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with one of our providers.