Health Topics for Child Health and Development

UI Children's Hospital

UI Family Care Centers

Divisions Within the Department of Pediatrics

Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders

Temper tantrums

Almost all children have temper tantrums in their toddler years. Children need to express their anger and frustration just as adults do. Temper tantrums are a normal part of child development. They may include crying, screaming, and breath holding. Children may even throw themselves on their backs to the floor, hold their breath, clench their teeth, kick, and pound their fists. These emotional outbursts release energy as well as attract attention.

Your child's temperament will set the tone. Some children are very adaptable, easygoing, positive, and easily distracted. Children who are very active, intense, and persistent may have intense tantrums. Tantrums tend to occur more often if a child is anxious, ill, moody, tired, or lives in a stressful home.

What is a parent to do? Temper tantrums are rarely harmful. They are less likely to be repeated if they fail to attract a response. It is crucial not to give in, act in anger, or offer rewards for stopping the behavior. Otherwise, children will link tantrums with getting their way. Most of the time, children will grow out of these behaviors on their own.

Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to respond:

• stay calm and peaceful
• remove child from the scene and away from high stimulation
• do not get angry or resort to spanking
• state your expectations clearly with a confident tone of voice
• distract your child to obedience with humor or fun
• soothe and quiet the child with a big, restraining hug and calm voice
• call a time-out for aggressive behavior like kicking or biting
• reassure child when tantrum is subsiding and teach alternative behavior and
• prevent future tantrums by being in tune with your child's emotions

For a time-out, isolate the child. There should be no attention, no toys, and no fun during the time-out.

Consult your healthcare provider if:

• tantrums persist or intensify after age 4
• a child injures himself or others, or destroys property during tantrums
• a child holds his breath and faints, or has a seizure during tantrums or
• tantrums are accompanied by frequent nightmares, extreme disobedience, reversal of toilet training, headaches or stomachaches, refusal to eat or go to bed, extreme anxiety, constant grumpiness, or clinging to parents

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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