Some parents are fortunate to have children who are calm, cool and collected. More often, however, children will have a meltdown from time to time, especially in households with multiple kids.

The good news is that tantrums often improve as children grow older. While challenging behavior can certainly continue, the intense emotional outbursts that commonly occur in early childhood tend to decrease around age four.

In the meantime, do your best to remain calm and composed during your child’s tantrums. While these moments can feel overwhelming, it’s important to avoid reacting physically or letting frustration take over. Instead, keep the following tips in mind to help manage your child’s tantrums effectively.

1. Look for Patterns and Avoid Triggers

Although tantrums may seem sudden or out of control, they often have underlying triggers. Common causes include hunger, fatigue or overstimulation. By recognizing these patterns and planning ahead, parents can sometimes prevent a meltdown before it begins.

For example, try to avoid running errands when it’s close to your child’s nap time. If your child tends to become upset when they’re hungry, keeping a healthy snack on hand can help. Small steps like these can often make a meaningful difference in preventing tantrums before they start.

2. Offer a Change of Scenery

A common trigger for tantrums is hearing the word “no” when a child wants to do something or have something they cannot have. In some cases, redirecting your child’s attention can help prevent a meltdown before it begins.

For example, if your child starts coloring on the table, you might redirect them by suggesting a different activity, such as going outside to play or helping in the kitchen. Offering praise when they engage in the new activity can reinforce the positive behavior. If your child is demanding something they cannot have, try offering an acceptable alternative instead. Sometimes a little creativity and redirection can go a long way in keeping your child calm and engaged.

3. Praise Your Child Frequently

Making a habit of praising and rewarding your child for positive behavior can help reduce unwanted behaviors over time. For example, when your child helps with a task, brushes their teeth, cleans their room or shows other positive behaviors, offer clear praise and encouragement. Positive reinforcement like this can motivate children to repeat good behaviors more often and rely less on negative reactions to get attention.

4. Empower Your Kids

It’s important not to give in to a tantrum, as doing so may reinforce the behavior and make future meltdowns more likely. Instead, try offering your child simple choices so they can feel a sense of control without rewarding the tantrum itself.

For example, you might let your child choose between two types of fruit for a snack, select from a couple of appropriate shows to watch or decide what they would like to wear or do for fun. Providing limited choices can help children feel more involved and may help prevent a meltdown before it begins.

5. Remain Calm and Cool

Parents who stay calm, steady and consistent are often better able to manage tantrums and help them end more quickly. Try to use a calm, even voice and focus on encouraging positive behavior rather than reacting to the negative behavior.

For example, you might encourage your child to speak quietly so you can enjoy time together, share a meal or participate in another positive activity. Above all, try not to raise your voice, lose your temper or react physically. If you begin to feel overwhelmed and another caregiver is available, it can be helpful to step away briefly and allow them to take over while you take a moment to regroup.

6. Set Guidelines to Keep Them Safe

If your child is not at risk of harming themselves or others, it can sometimes be appropriate to briefly ignore a tantrum while monitoring the situation from a distance. However, it is important to set clear and consistent limits when safety is a concern.

For example, behaviors such as kicking, hitting or biting should not be tolerated and should be addressed with firm boundaries. If a tantrum occurs in a public setting where your child could harm themselves or others, it may be necessary to calmly remove them from the situation until they have settled down.

Tantrums are a normal part of early childhood development and nearly every parent will experience them from time to time. While they can feel challenging in the moment, consistent guidance, patience and positive reinforcement can help children learn healthier ways to express their emotions. Over time, these strategies can make tantrums less frequent and help your child develop important skills for managing frustration and communicating their needs.