During a temper tantrum, children may whine, cry or roll on the floor. They may also engage in the following behaviors:

• Screaming
• Shouting
• Stamping feet
• Hitting
• Kicking
• Thrashing about
• Head banging
• Throwing things
• Breath holding

Although temper tantrums are typically a normal, healthy part of child development, parents should notify their child’s physician if temper tantrums occur more than once a day or exceed 15 minutes in duration. This may indicate the presence of an underlying social problem or medical or psychological condition (e.g., vision or hearing problem, learning disability).

Parents should also notify their child’s physician if:

• The tantrums worsen after the child turns 4
  
  
• The tantrums increase in intensity
  
  
• The child holds their breath or faints during tantrums
  
  
• The child’s behaviors are destructive
  
  
• The child often hurts themselves or other people
  
  
• The child displays signs of a mood disorder (e.g., anxiety, poor self-esteem, negativity)
  
  
• They have questions about the child’s behavior
  
  
• They have questions about how to handle the child’s behavior
  
  
• They repeatedly give in to the child’s requests
  
  
• The tantrums elicit bad feelings