15 - 18 Months

Toddler tantrums. How to keep calm and carry on.

#YourGrowingBaby

With their newly minted skills of walking and talking, your toddler’s appetite for self-discovery is getting stronger every day. Here are some tips on how to deal with toddler tantrums to help you navigate the ups and downs of their growing independence.

Get started by adding popular actions
below, or add your own items.

What other parents add

Add

Action

Used by

Aim for simple rules and stick to them.

23 23

Try to praise when they get it right, ignore when they get it wrong.

23 23

Try giving them simple tasks they can do by themselves (putting on their wellies, tidying toys away).

22 22

Try offering simple choices (red or blue shirt, teddy or train, banana or apple).

21 21

Avoid saying no too often. Try rephrasing refusals. E.g. “Why don’t we …. instead?” “Let’s see if you can finish the peas while I count to 10 then I’ll get your yogurt.”

23 23

Aim for a daily routine with regular meals, naps, playtime and quiet time.

20 20

Make sure their bedtime routine is calming and consistent.

18 18

Keep shopping trips short to avoid boredom and (very public) meltdowns.

16 16

Try distraction when you see something brewing. Timed right, a silly noise, funny face, or toy-swap can stop a tantrum in its tracks.

19 19

If it’s too late and the fireworks begin, try to stay calm.

16 16

Cuddles can crack the toughest nut. Sometimes a little security is all they need.

18 18

Don’t give in – your toddler’s pretty smart and if they think it’s worked they’ll try it again.

20 20

Hug it out when it’s over. Tantrums are a normal healthy sign of development and they won’t last forever.

23 23

Toddler tantrums. How to keep calm and carry on.

My actions

My completed actions

Are you sure you want to delete this action?

What other parents add

Welcome to Smart parenting

You are about to delete a saved checklist