Also called temper tantrums.

In young children, an episode of extreme anger and frustration characterized by crying, screaming, and violent body motions, including throwing things, falling to the floor, and banging one's head, hands, and feet against the floor.

Tantrums, which can occur by the age of 15 months, are most frequent between the ages of 1½ and 3. Every child has them at some point, and active, strong-willed youngsters may have as many as one or two a week. Generally, tantrums are primarily an expression of loss of control rather than an attempt at manipulation (although the latter can also be involved).

Two-year-olds are at a stage of development fraught with frustration. They have not acquired the verbal skills necessary to adequately express their emotions or even, in many situations, to make themselves understood. In addition, they can only use words to demand what they want, not to negotiate for...