Nursery World - A parent's guide to tantrums

You're in a restaurant at a regular family event. Suddenly your co-operative toddler seems to have had a personality change. He won't sit down and is screaming and kicking. Anything you do or say seems to be making things worse. Your child's first tantrum can be a shock - you have heard of 'the terrible twos' but he is much younger. Tantrums can in fact start around 18 months and continue sometimes to five and beyond. They are your child's response to frustration. He wants to do so much more than he is able or allowed, and cannot yet express his anger verbally. His explosive outbursts can make you feel angry, powerless and exhausted, so it helps to remember that they are a normal part of growing up.

Your child's first tantrum can be a shock - you have heard of 'the terrible twos' but he is much younger. Tantrums can in fact start around 18 months and continue sometimes to five and beyond. They are your child's response to frustration. He wants to do so much more than he is able or allowed, and cannot yet express his anger verbally. His explosive outbursts can make you feel angry, powerless and exhausted, so it helps to remember that they are a normal part of growing up.

My child hates dressing in the morning - what can I do to stop the tantrums?

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