As parents, we all know kids throw tantrums. And while there’s nothing fun about watching your toddler whine, scream and thrash on the floor in public, it’s simply a part of life.

Tantrums usually begin at about a year old and start to fade when children are around 3 or 4, and can solve problems in other ways. Some children have more tantrums than others, because all children are unique and have their own personalities.

While tantrums can be disturbing to watch, they also offer us an opportunity to teach our children how to cope with frustration, anger and other difficult feelings.

So what can you do about it? Here are some tips, according to Triple P (Positive Parenting Program):

• Try to understand why your child is throwing a tantrum. Is he frustrated, angry or overtired? Is she hungry, afraid or in need of attention? Once you know the reason, you can try to avert the behavior or shorten the length of the tantrum.
   
• Next, respond to tantrums as soon as they first occur and teach your child to calm down quickly.
   
• Try to avoid tantrums in the first place by keeping forbidden yet tempting objects out of reach, if possible.
   
• Make sure your child is on a routine and is well-fed and well-rested. This also helps avoid meltdowns.
   
• Most importantly, try not to lose your cool. It’s a lot more difficult to tell your child to calm down if you’re screaming.

Click here for more information about handling tantrums.