How to Deal with a Child’s Tantrum: The Research-Proven Methods

1. For children aged between 18-60 months, the reason and process of tantrums is as follows: A tantrum is the expression of both anger and distress. It is an intensive emotional process. The process is: (1) Starting from anger: Anger rises quickly, has its peak at or near the beginning of the tantrum. (2) The beginning of the tantrum: "Modal tantrum durations were 0.5 to 1 minute; 75% of the tantrums lasted 5 minutes or less. If the child stamped or dropped to the floor in the first 30 seconds, the tantrum was likely to be shorter and the likelihood of parental intervention less." (3) "Crying and comfort‐seeking, components of distress, slowly increase in probability across the tantrum."

Based on 1 reviewed studies, 1 supports this 0 against this 0 inconclusive

2. Ways to deal with tantrums for children who throw tantrums in public: In an experimental study, playing a selected short segment of a tape recorded tantrum immediately followed by punishment several hours after the tantrum occurred was the most effective for reducing the occurrence of tantrums.

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3. Ways to deal with tantrums for children who throw tantrums at bedtime: Establish a fixed daily routine with a sequence of activities. Give praise for the completion of each activity. Once a routine is established, parents can gradually fade away from the beginning of the routine in reverse order (fade the praise of the completion of the 1st activity, once successful, then fade the praise of the completion of the 2nd activity, and continue until bedtime).

Based on 1 reviewed studies, 1 supports this 0 against this 0 inconclusive