Understanding and Managing Tantrums

Tantrums are a normal part of child development — but that doesn’t make them any easier to handle. Whether your child is a toddler learning to express big emotions or an older child struggling with frustration, these outbursts can leave parents feeling helpless, exhausted, or unsure of what to do next.

This page is here to help you understand why tantrums happen, what your child might be trying to communicate, and how you can respond calmly and effectively. You’ll find practical tips, expert insights, and reassurance that you’re not alone — every parent faces this challenge, and with the right tools, tantrums can become powerful opportunities for learning and connection.

The BBC has some great resources around Tantrums. Their new Parenting Website is great for useful tips and information. CBeebeis Parenting

The NSPCC has lots of information regarding this normal child behaviour. NCPCC

The NHS also has some useful information. NHS Website

Halton has its own Health Improvement Team who offer all sorts of Family Support. Health Improvement Team

Zones of Regulation

As a school, we use the Zones of Regulation to teach the childen about thier emotions. Each Zone is linked to an emotion. Wespend time talking with the children about how they feel and how they can help themselves get into the 'Green Zone', which is the 'ready to play and learn' zone. 

It is important to acknowlegde the emotion and not to bring shame to this. We say, "I can see you are feeling a little angry right now, and that you are in the Red Zone. Let's do somehting together to help you get back into the Green Zone". This might be going for a walk, having a hug (often with a teddy bear or cushion, having a cold drink, finding a quiet place to sit in, doing some deep breathing, stretching or some star jumps. The children often choose what they like. 

A good activity to do at home with your child could be to identify with them what they look like when they are in each zone, and what they can do with they are in these zones to help them get back into Green. You could make your own poster, a little like some of these:

Here is a pdf version you could use with your child:

There are also lots of different videos you can watch which will help your child to understnad the Zones of Regulation. We use these with the children.