When Do Child Tantrums Stop?

“When do child tantrums stop? My 3 year old meltdowns over everything, and I’m nearly ripping my hair out about it, it’s literally so, so frequent every day”

Tantrums usually peak between ages 1 and 4, especially around age 2-3. Most children have fewer and milder tantrums by around age 4 or 5, as their emotional regulation, language, and impulse control improve. However, some children still have occasional tantrums up to age 6 or 7, especially when they are overwhelmed, hungry, or tired. 

Some children have a lot of tantrums while others barely have any. This depends a lot on their temperament and to some extent on how you handle the tantrums. 

Here are some tips that may help you:

• Do not give in: if every time your child throws a tantrum, you give what he wants, he will repeat the behaviour. Stay calm and wait for the tantrum to end. 
• Keep a consistent routine: children feel more in control when they know their limits and what is coming next. 
• Be proactive: try to avoid getting in situations where he may throw a tantrum. For example, don’t take him to run errands just before his nap time or when he is hungry. Or distract him, whenever you see that he is getting cranky. 
• Don’t take it personally: your child throws tantrums because it is the only way he knows how to manage his emotions and to express himself. He is not doing it to annoy you. I know it is difficult to keep calm, especially if he is throwing them so often, but keep in mind that he will stop throwing tantrums. This phase will not last forever. 

Here are a few articles that may help you:

How to Deal with Tantrums

How to Discipline a 3 Year-Old

Fostering Emotional Intelligence in Children: a Guide for Parents

Love, 

Ana

Dr Ana Aznar