Updated November 7, 2026
Tantrums are a normal part of early childhood. Young children feel strong emotions long before they have the words and self-control to manage them.
Tantrums are most common in toddlers and preschoolers. They tend to happen when a child is tired, hungry, overstimulated, frustrated by something they cannot do, or told "no". A tantrum is not a sign of bad parenting. It is a child's brain being overwhelmed. As language, patience and self-control grow, tantrums usually become less frequent and less intense.
When your child is calm, reconnect with a hug or a few kind words. With older preschoolers, briefly name what happened and talk about what they could do next time: "You were angry when we left the park. Next time you can stomp your feet or squeeze my hand." Keep it short and do not shame them.
Discuss tantrums with your child's pediatrician if they are very frequent or very long, keep happening well past the preschool years, involve hurting themselves or others, or come with other concerns such as speech delays, sleep problems or trouble at preschool or school. Your doctor may suggest a parent training program. Approaches such as parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) have good research support for young children with challenging behavior.
This guide is general information, not medical or psychological advice. For questions about your child, talk with a pediatrician or a licensed mental health professional. In a crisis in the US, call or text 988 or call 911; elsewhere, call your local emergency number.