logo
BabySparks
logo
  • What is BabySparks?
  • The Science
  • Childcare Providers
  • Learning Center
  • Get BabySparks
  • en
    • es
Prev
Cooking with toddlers 0
Cooking with Your Toddler
30 October 2019
Next
Teaching your toddler about hygiene 0
Benefits of Teaching Your Toddler About Hygiene
06 November 2019
Parenting
Toddler Tantrums: When Tantrums are More Than Just Tantrums
30 October, 2019 by BabySparks in Parenting

Red flags for problematic tantrumsTantrums are not a perk of parenting, but they are a normal part of your toddler’s discovery and understanding of emotions. Sometimes tantrums are preventable, and other times you need to ride them out while taking a few actionable steps to help your toddler calm down.

Every toddler will have a tantrum – probably several, actually. However, tantrums occasionally can point to other problems that aren’t as common, like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or visual impairment.

Disorders like ADHD aren’t usually diagnosable until between ages three and five, but children can display some warning signs in toddlerhood. The earlier you act, the more support and intervention he can receive. In the case of frequent and severe tantrums, it’s a good idea for you to address your concerns with your toddler’s pediatrician as soon as possible.

Highlights: 

  • Tantrums are a natural part of a toddler’s discovery and understanding of emotions. However, tantrums can occasionally point to other problems, and the earlier parents act, the more support and intervention a child can receive. 
  • Tantrums might signal a problem if:
    • They’re frequent (five a day or more). 
    • They last a long time (most tantrums last five minutes or less). 
    • Your child tries to hurt themselves. 
    • You can’t calm them down after the tantrum has passed. 
  • With the support of parents and pediatricians, toddlers can learn ways to work through their emotions to lessen the severity of tantrums. 

When Tantrums Might Signal a Problem

Your toddler’s tantrums can be erratic in length and frequency, looking different each day. Problematic tantrums are usually more recognizable when a child hits preschool age. Although it can be challenging to judge what’s normal and what’s not in a toddler’s outburst, there are some behaviors that toddlers can display that could at least warrant a talk with the doctor.

Not sure what to look for? These red flags, especially when more than one applies to your child, may indicate an underlying problem that needs additional support:

His tantrums are very frequent.

It’s common for toddlers to have one, or even a few tantrums every day, especially near a time that they usually get hungry or tired. If you’re noticing an uptick in your toddler’s tantrum number, like five a day or more, then you might consider bringing it up to your pediatrician.

His tantrums last a long time.

Most tantrums last five minutes or less. That’s not to say that if your toddler has a tantrum lasting 15 to 30 minutes, you need to rush him to the doctor. But, if your toddler usually has tantrums that last 25 minutes or more even with you trying to intervene, there might be something else going on.

He tries to hurt himself or others.

Self-injury is usually a warning sign that your little one needs additional support. In a toddler, self-injury can mean biting himself, pulling his hair, banging his head on the wall, or scratching his skin aggressively. He might also direct his anger to someone or something else, like you, a sibling, or a pet.

You can’t calm him down after the tantrum.

Most toddlers are especially loving after they’ve calmed down from a tantrum. This is often an excellent time to talk to them about what they were feeling and how they can handle it better next time. However, a toddler that still seems panicky, sad, or angry after his tantrum passes could be having an overwhelming flood of emotions he can’t mentally handle.

With your and your pediatrician’s support, your toddler can learn ways to work through his emotions to lessen their severity, even when other conditions are present. And, as he grows, his feelings will typically begin to balance out, too.

0 Comments
  • behavior
  • red flag
  • tantrum
  • toddler
  • social-emotional
3 Like!
Share
BabySparks

Recent comments

    Tags

    baby child cognitive feeding fine motor gross motor health language language skills milestones parenting sensory social-emotional speech toddler
    ABOUT US
    THE TEAM
    TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY
    support@babysparks.com
    FacebookInstagramPinterestTwitter
    Copyright © 2020 BabySparks LLC. All rights reserved
    logo
    X
    GET BABYSPARKS
    Step 2 of 2
    ACTIVITY PACKAGE:
    (All Prices in USD)

    Form of Payment

    Monthly: $1.25 per month/per child
    Annually: $12.00 per year/per child (20% discount)

    Form of Payment

    Monthly: $2.25 per month/per child
    Annually: $21.50 per year/per child (20% discount)

    Form of Payment

    Monthly: $5.00 per month/per child
    Annually: $45.00 per year/per child (25% discount)

    Number of children:

    x per child

    Total Amount

    SELECT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
    * Required field
    Buy now BS

    BabySparks Premium Gives You…

    Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

    An expert-created program to support the development of children under your care

    Tools to increase family engagement, invite each family to use the program at home

    Ability to track each child's progress in real-time (and share it with his/her family)

    Add unlimited children, caregivers and locations to your account

    Manage and track progress across your organization through our desktop dashboard

    Cancel your subscription at any time

    By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
    X
    EDIT YOUR ACCOUNT
    Your account
    Change your password
    X
    EDIT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
    Update payment method
    * Required field
    Buy now BS
    By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
    X
    UPDATE YOUR PACKAGE
    Your Activity Package
    (All Prices in USD)

    1 Month

    $ 3 99

    per month

    1 Year

    $ 23 99

    per year

    Update your package at any time
    (All Prices in USD)
    Pay as you go

    1 Month

    $ 3 99

    per month

    50% Discount

    1 Year

    $ 23 99

    per year

    60% Discount

    Lifetime

    $ 39 99

    one time

    How does it work?

    You can change your activity package at any time.

    The change will take place at the end of your current subscription period.

    You will only be charged the new rate once the change takes place.

    Cancel Activity Package
    X
    LOGIN BABYSPARKS

    Forgot your password?

    X
    PASSWORD RESET
    X
    RESET PASSWORD
    X
    GET BABYSPARKS
    Step 1 of 2
    Create Your Account

    Already Have an Account? Login

    X
    GET BABYSPARKS
    Step 1 of 2
    Create Your Account

    Already Have an Account? Login

    X
    GET BABYSPARKS
    Step 2 of 2
    Logged in as: (Not me)
    Select Your Activity Package
    (All Prices in USD)
    Pay as you go

    1 Month

    $ 3 99

    per month

    YOUR OFFER

    $ 2 99

    50% Discount

    1 Year

    $ 1 99

    per month

    Paid Annually: $23.99
    YOUR OFFER

    $ 2 99

    60% Discount

    Lifetime

    $ 39 99

    one time

    YOUR OFFER

    $ 2 99

    BabySparks Premium Gives You…

    Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

    An expert-created program to support your child’s development

    Weekly development reports summarize progress

    Browse activities for any situation

    Expert-written articles about development

    Sync up to 5 devices (add family and caregivers)

    Add up to 5 babies to your account

    Cancel your susbcription at any time

    * Required field
    Buy now BS
    By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.