Kidlutions: Solutions for Kids

Tantrums: What the Research Says Tantrums are a natural part of childhood, but they can be challenging for parents to navigate. Research in the past five years has provided valuable insights into the causes of tantrums and effective strategies for managing them. Let's start off with the neuroscience of a tantrum. The Neuroscience Behind Tantrums Tantrums occur when a child's emotional regulation system is overwhelmed. The amygdala, the brain's emotional center, becomes hyperactive, while the prefrontal cortex, responsible for self-control, is still developing.  This imbalance makes it difficult for children to manage frustration or distress. Studies have shown that tantrums are often triggered by fatigue, hunger, overstimulation, or unmet needs.  What might look like "manipulation" (I want that candy bar and I can't have it...queue the tantrum) is more likely indicative of poor self-regulation, or the ability to calm down and accept "no" for an answe...