Tantrums

Tantrums are a normal part of childhood development—especially during the toddler years. According to clinical research, most kids will have tantrums as they learn to navigate big emotions with still-developing brains and language skills. These outbursts usually involve crying, yelling, hitting, kicking, or even breath-holding, and tend to happen once a day on average, lasting just a few minutes.

While they’re completely expected in children aged 1 to 4, research shows that tantrums can become a concern when they’re unusually intense, occur frequently throughout the day, or continue beyond the preschool years. In those cases, a tantrum might be a sign of something more—like a developmental delay, language difficulties, or emerging emotional or behavioural challenges.

What Helps: Evidence-Based Treatment for Tantrums

The good news? There’s plenty of solid research on treatment for tantrums, and most approaches start with prevention and calm, consistent responses.

Here’s what works, according to the experts:

1. Prevent the preventable – studies highlight how tantrums are often triggered by simple things—being tired, hungry, overstimulated, or not feeling well. Helping children stick to regular routines, offering choices where possible, and avoiding situations that tend to overwhelm them can significantly reduce the likelikood of a meltdown.
2. Stay calm and consistent – children look to adults for cues. Research shows that when caregivers stay calm and respond in predictable ways—setting limits gently but firmly—kids are more likely to learn emotional regulation over time. Ignoring minor misbehaviour (when safe) and praising positive actions helps reinforce the behaviours you want to see more of.
3. Teach and model emotional skills – supporting children to label their feelings (“I can see you’re really frustrated right now”) and modelling healthy ways to cope gives them tools to use next time. Over time, this builds their ability to regulate emotions more independently.

When to Seek Extra Help

While most tantrums are part of typical development, the research recommends seeking professional support when:

• Tantrums are happening several times a day and are difficult to manage
• Your child is hurting themselves, others, or damaging property during outbursts
• The tantrums are continuing beyond age 4 or 5
• There are other concerns—like speech delays, sleep problems, or anxiety

In these cases, treatment for tantrums may involve more targeted support.

What the Research Recommends for More Severe Cases

When tantrums are particularly extreme, clinicians may involve a interprofessional team—this can include child psychologists, paediatricians, speech pathologists, or occupational therapists. Evidence-backed interventions like Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) have been shown to be especially effective. PCIT teaches parents how to build connection, manage misbehaviour calmly, and reduce the intensity and frequency of tantrums in a structured way.

For children with additional health issues (such as anaemia or developmental conditions), the research also suggests assessing for any underlying medical or nutritional causes—sometimes something as simple as iron deficiency can contribute to irritability and tantrums.

The Takeaway

Tantrums are completely normal for young kids—but when they start to affect daily life, research shows that help is available, and early support can make a big difference. Treatment for tantrums doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right strategies—and, when needed, professional guidance—families can reduce tantrums and help kids learn to manage their emotions more confidently.