Tantrums are a normal part of child development, especially between ages two and four, because toddlers do not yet have the vocabulary or emotional maturity to express frustration another way.
Why it happens
At this age, children are discovering independence and clash with limits set by parents, or struggle to express themselves, so emotions erupt as crying, screaming, or throwing themselves on the floor.
Practical steps
- Stay calm yourself first — your child reads and mirrors your reaction.
- Do not try to reason during the peak of the outburst; wait until they calm down a little.
- Sit beside them and hug them if they allow it, saying calmly: "I know you are angry, I am here with you."
- Once calm, talk with them in short sentences about their feelings and what triggered them.
- Stay consistent with rules — backing down because of crying teaches the child that anger is an effective way to get what they want.
When to worry
If tantrums are very frequent, physically violent, or increasingly persist past age five, it may help to consult a child development specialist.