What are temper tantrums?
Temper tantrums are a way a young child lets out strong emotions before he/she is able to express them in socially acceptable ways. Although a child may seem totally out of control, these fits of rage, stomping, screaming, and throwing themselves to the floor are a normal part of childhood development. Temper tantrums often occur only with a parent. They are a way a child communicates his/her feelings. Parents can learn from their child by understanding the situation that caused the temper tantrum to erupt. Temper tantrums often begin at about 1 year of age and continue until age 3. Nearly all children have them, but, by age 4, most children develop the necessary self-control and temper tantrums stop.