A child lying on the floor crying in the supermarket, screaming when told "no"... Temper tantrums are a natural result of young children not yet having learned to manage their emotions. Most of the time this is not a "discipline problem" but a developmental stage. In this guide, we cover how to understand tantrums and manage them calmly.

Why Do They Happen?

  • The emotion-control regions of the brain have not yet matured.
  • Because the child cannot express what they want in words, they show it through behavior.
  • Tiredness, hunger, overstimulation, and an irregular sleep schedule are triggers.

They occur most often between ages 1 and 4, especially at age 2 ("the terrible twos"), and decrease with age.

What to Do During a Tantrum?

  • Stay calm. Your calmness helps soothe the child too.
  • Keep them safe; prevent them from harming themselves or objects.
  • Name the emotion: "You're very angry, I understand." This helps the child feel understood.
  • If there is no danger, without getting into an argument, wait for the tantrum to pass; hug them once it is over.

What Not to Do?

  • Yelling, hitting, bargaining: This reinforces the behavior.
  • Giving in to every demand: It teaches the child that the tantrum "works."
  • Humiliating or shaming the child.

Reducing Tantrums

  • Establish a routine for sleep, nutrition, and structure (a tired/hungry child melts down faster).
  • Offer choices: "Blue or red?" — a sense of control reduces anger.
  • Notice and praise positive behavior; set boundaries calmly but consistently.

When to See a Doctor?

Tantrums that are very frequent, very severe (harming self or others), persist after age 5, or occur alongside speech and developmental problems should be evaluated. For developmental concerns, you can read our article on developmental disorders and signs of delay.

To holistically assess your child's behavior and development in Şahinbey, Gaziantep, you can benefit from our developmental assessment service.

📅 Book an appointment for a developmental assessment

This content is for informational purposes; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment. — Uzm. Dr. Hasan Keleş