What to Do When Your Toddler Starts Throwing Tantrums
One minute your toddler is all smiles, and the next, they’re lying on the supermarket floor screaming because you didn’t let them hold a mango. Sound familiar? If you’re a Jamaican parent raising a child between 1 and 5 years old, tantrums might already be part of your daily routine.
Tantrums can be frustrating, embarrassing, and downright exhausting—but they’re also normal. In fact, tantrums are a key part of your toddler’s development.
Let’s explore why toddlers have tantrums, what you can do in the moment, and how to prevent them in the future—all in a way that works for real-life Jamaican families.
Why Do Toddlers Have Tantrums?
Tantrums are a natural expression of frustration and emotional overwhelm. Toddlers don’t yet have the language or coping skills to express their feelings in a calm way.
Common Reasons for Tantrums:
- Frustration – They know what they want but can’t get or say it.
- Fatigue – Overtired children are more prone to outbursts.
- Hunger – Low blood sugar means low patience.
- Overstimulation – Too much noise, movement, or change.
- Seeking control – They want independence but can’t always handle the outcome.
- Attention-seeking – They want your eyes, even if it means acting up.
Understanding the “Terrible Twos” and Beyond
You may have heard of the “terrible twos,” but tantrums can start as early as 12 months and last until age 4 or 5.
It’s all part of learning to:
- Communicate effectively
- Manage emotions
- Navigate rules and boundaries
Instead of seeing tantrums as “bad behavior,” try viewing them as growing pains of emotional development.
What to Do During a Tantrum
The goal isn’t to stop the tantrum instantly. It’s to help your child feel safe, seen, and soothed—without giving in to bad behavior.
1. Stay Calm
Easier said than done, right? But your calm energy helps regulate theirs.
Try saying: “I see you’re upset. I’m right here.”
2. Get Low and Make Eye Contact
Squat to their level. It makes you less threatening and more connected.
3. Offer Comfort, Not Control
If they’re open to touch, offer a hug. If not, stay close but give space.
Say: “When you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
4. Use Fewer Words
In the middle of a meltdown, too much talking overwhelms them. Keep it short and simple.
5. Don’t Give In
If the tantrum is about something they can’t have (like sweets before dinner), stay consistent.
Giving in teaches them that tantrums get results.
What NOT to Do
1. Don’t Yell or Shame
This escalates the situation and teaches fear, not understanding.
2. Don’t Threaten Unrealistically
“Mi a go lef yuh right here!” might come out of frustration, but it makes kids feel unsafe.
3. Don’t Bribe
“I’ll give you a sweetie if you stop crying” teaches manipulation, not coping.
After the Tantrum: Repair and Reflect
Once your child calms down, it’s time to reconnect and reinforce learning.
What to Do:
- Name the feeling: “You were really upset because we had to leave the park.”
- Teach a skill: “Next time, say ‘I feel sad’ instead of screaming.”
- Offer comfort: Hug or cuddle to reset emotionally.
This helps your child feel understood and builds emotional vocabulary.
How to Prevent Tantrums Before They Start
You can’t prevent every outburst, but you can reduce how often they happen.
1. Stick to a Routine
Toddlers feel safe when they know what’s next. Keep mealtimes, naps, and activities consistent.
2. Offer Limited Choices
Let them feel in control with simple options:
- “Do you want juice or water?”
- “Red shirt or blue shirt?”
3. Give Warnings for Transitions
No one likes surprises. Say, “Five more minutes, then we pack up.”
4. Catch Good Behavior
Praise them when they handle frustration well: “I like how you used your words!”
5. Keep Them Fed and Rested
A hungry or sleepy toddler is a tantrum waiting to happen.
Jamaican Parenting Challenges (and Solutions)
In our culture, there’s sometimes pressure to “discipline” a tantrum harshly. But modern parenting emphasizes emotional teaching.
What You Can Do:
- Teach grandparents or caregivers your approach
- Use patois and English to name feelings: “Mi vex” = “I’m upset”
- Normalize emotion: Crying is not weakness—it’s communication
Tools for Tantrum Management
1. Emotion Charts
Use pictures to help your toddler identify how they feel.
2. Calm Corner
Set up a safe space with pillows, books, or stuffed animals.
3. Breathing Games
Teach belly breathing: “Smell the flowers, blow out the candle.”
4. Movement Breaks
Let them run, jump, or dance to release energy in healthy ways.
When to Seek Help
Some tantrums are beyond typical. Speak with a pediatrician or child psychologist if:
- Tantrums happen multiple times a day, every day
- They hurt themselves or others
- They don’t calm down even after long periods
- You feel overwhelmed constantly
You’re not alone. Support is available.
How Sun City Wonderland Daycare Helps With Tantrum Management
At Sun City Wonderland Daycare, we see tantrums as teaching opportunities—not problems to “fix.”
Our Approach:
- Use gentle language and consistent routines
- Teach children to name and express their feelings
- Offer sensory tools (play dough, calm music)
- Communicate daily with parents about emotional growth
We create a nurturing environment where children learn emotional skills for life.
Final Thoughts: Tantrums Are Not Failures
Your toddler isn’t “bad.” They’re just trying to figure out the big world with tiny tools.
And you’re not a bad parent either—you’re guiding your child through one of the hardest (and most important) phases of growth.
With patience, consistency, and love, tantrums become stepping stones toward emotional intelligence.
Let Sun City Wonderland Be Your Parenting Partner
We’re here to support your child’s development—even through the stormy days.
Call or WhatsApp us at (876) 847-2966, email suncitywonderland876@gmail.com, or visit suncitywonderland.com and click the “enroll now” button.
Together, let’s raise calm, confident, and resilient little Jamaicans.
