HOW TO REDUCE TANTRUMS IN CHILDREN: A COMPLETE PARENT GUIDE

How to Reduce Tantrums in Children | Behaviour Tips from Experts | Pranaah

Learn effective strategies to reduce tantrums in toddlers and young children. Expert behaviour tips from Dr. Devi Raj at Pranaah Child Development Centre, Kollam.

​How to Reduce Tantrums: Parent-Friendly Guide

Tantrums are a normal part of childhood, especially between the ages of 1.5 to 5 years. A tantrum happens when a child becomes overwhelmed and unable to express emotions through words. Factors like hunger, sensory overload, tiredness, frustration, or communication delays can increase tantrums. 

At Pranaah Child Development Centre, Dr Devi Raj, Developmental Psychologist, Licensed Early Interventionist, Chief Interventionist, supports children and families across Kollam, Kottarakkara, Karunagapally, Kayamkulam, Kundara, Paripally, Punalur, Pathanapuram, Varkkala through structured behaviour therapy and parent training.

This guide will help you understand why tantrums happen and what you can do to reduce them.

Common Reasons for Tantrums

• Not able to express needs (speech delay)

• Transition difficulties (switching activities)

• Sensory overload (noise, bright lights)

• Fatigue or hunger

• Frustration while playing

• Seeking attention

• Not getting what they want

• Difficulty understanding instructions

Understanding the root cause helps parents respond more effectively.

Strategies to Reduce Tantrums

1. Establish a Predictable Routine

Children feel secure when they know what to expect.
Use visual schedules for:

• Eating

• Sleep

• Play

• School

• Therapy

• Screen time

Predictability reduces emotional overwhelm.

2. Use Simple Language & Choices

Instead of long instructions, use short sentences.

Examples:
“Sit here.”
“Come with me.”
“Do you want red or blue?”

Choices reduce power struggles.

3. Notice Trigger Signs Early

Early signs of a coming meltdown:

• Whining

• Restlessness

• Covering ears

• Throwing objects

• Leaving the group

Intervene early with calming strategies.

4. Create a Calm Down Corner

Fill it with:

• Soft toys

• Sensory bottles

• Weighted lap pillow

• Books

• Cushions

This helps your child regulate emotions safely.

5. Use Sensory Breaks

For children with sensory differences, tantrums may come from overload.
Activities that help:

• Jumping

• Heavy work tasks

• Deep pressure hugs

• Rocking

• Swinging

This reduces emotional buildup.

6. Acknowledge Feelings (“Name it to tame it”)

Say:

“I know you’re upset.”
“You want the toy.”
“You’re angry because it’s time to stop.”

When children feel understood, they calm down faster.

7. Avoid Giving In During Tantrums

If tantrums lead to getting what they want, the behaviour will repeat.
Offer calmness, not rewards.

8. Praise Good Behaviour

Catch your child being calm and cooperative.

Say:
“I love how you waited!”
“You used your words!”
“You shared so nicely!”

Positive reinforcement works beautifully.

9. Teach Communication Skills

Many tantrums come from speech delays or limited expressive language.

Speech therapy improves:
✔ Vocabulary
✔ Requesting skills
✔ Sentence formation
✔ Emotional communication

10. Seek Professional Help When Needed

Consult a developmental psychologist or behaviour therapist if:

• Tantrums last more than 15–20 minutes

• Happen daily

• Include aggression or self-harm

• Affect eating or sleep

• Occur without clear triggers

• Interfere with learning

At Pranaah, multidisciplinary therapy plans combine psychology + OT + speech for better behaviour outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are tantrums normal?

Yes, tantrums are common between ages 2–5, but frequency and intensity matter.

2. When should I worry about tantrums?

If tantrums are severe, aggressive, daily, or affect routine functioning.

3. Can speech delay cause tantrums?

Yes — when children cannot express needs, frustration increases.

4. Should I punish tantrums?

No. Punishment increases anxiety and worsens behaviour.

5. What is the best way to calm tantrums?

Stay calm, acknowledge feelings, offer sensory or emotional regulation tools.

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“Dr Devi Raj, Developmental Psychologist, Licensed Early Interventionist, Chief Interventionist  at Pranaah Child Development Centre serving families from Kollam, Kottarakkara, Karunagapally, Kayamkulam, Kundara, Paripally, Punalur, Pathanapuram, Varkkala etc from the last 13 years..”