Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger

Description of technique for dealing with temper tantrums:
Many people assume that children throw tantrums to manipulate you. Many times this is not the case. Young children are just learning how to feel and deal with emotions, what they really need is our support and empathy. When they are throwing a tantrum, tell them you know they are angry because ..., that it is o.k. to be angry, and that you still love them. This teaches them that anger is a normal emotion that we all feel. And that we still love them when they are angry and won't leave them because they are angry. Ignoring them or yelling at them teaches them that anger is bad and that if they get angry, the people they love will leave them. This raises a child to repress their anger, and many studies have shown that repressed anger is the number one cause of illness in adults. Treat your child the way you would want to be treated if you were really upset.