Children act out for different reasons. The first step to dealing with tantrums, meltdowns and defiance is to understand what’s bothering a child. We’ve put together the information and articles below to help you explore the best way to handle behavior problems in children. You’ll find information on potential causes of disruptive behavior, including anxiety, learning issues and trauma. And experts share advice on how to help kids learn to manage powerful emotions, and how to recognize behavior problems that may need professional attention.
Featured
More on Behavior Problems
- More Topics
- Are Time Outs Harmful to Children?
- How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation?
- How to Discipline Toddlers
- Choosing a Parent Training Program
- Why Do Kids Have Trouble With Transitions?
- How Can We Help Kids With Transitions?
- How to Make Time Outs Work
- How Anxiety Leads to Disruptive Behavior
- Quick Facts on Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Disruptive Behavior: Why It’s Often Misdiagnosed
- Three Common Parenting Traps
- How to Handle Tantrums and Meltdowns
- Why Do Kids Have Tantrums and Meltdowns?
- Quick Facts on Intermittent Explosive Disorder
- What Are Some of the Causes of Aggression in Children?
- Do Autism Behaviors Have Medical Causes?
- A New Diagnosis for Explosive Behavior
- When Should I Worry About Tantrums?
- Quick Facts on Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Is My Child’s Anger Normal?
- Problem Behavior in Preschoolers
- Angry Kids: Dealing With Explosive Behavior
- Calm Voices, Calmer Kids
- How to Give Kids Effective Instructions
- Managing Problem Behavior at Home
- How to Head Off Behavior Problems at Formal Events
- Strategies for Managing Disruptive Kids
- The Most Common Misdiagnoses in Children
- Why Kids With Psychiatric Issues End Up in the Emergency Room
- Kids in Crisis: The View From the ER
- Why Parents Are Silent About Mental Illness
- Liza Long on Mental Illness, Diagnosis, and Hope
- Mindfulness in the Classroom
- The Family Gathering: A Survival Guide
- Residential Schools: What They Can Do for Your Child
- Breaking the Behavior Code
- When Teenagers Self-Medicate
- 4 Ways Parents Can Help Kids Who Act Out
- Teaching Teachers to Teach Challenging Kids
Ask an Expert
All Ask an Expert- My granddaughter, 16, is terrible to her mother, but is great with us. What can we do?
- What are appropriate consequences for bad behavior?
- When should I hold a child accountable for his IED behavior and when should I give him a “pass”?
- My daughter treats her dad as a rival for my attention and is mean to him when he comes home. Is animosity towards the less-favored parent normal?
- What should a worried kindergarten teacher do about imaginary gun play in her class?
- What can we do about a 6-year-old who throws serious, increasingly violent tantrums—but not when other adults are around?
- Should my son switch to a school that focuses on behavior challenges?
- People think my son is rude because he has tantrums when we’re out, but at home he is the most loving boy in the world. Is anything wrong with him?
- My son is having emotional and behavioral issues after I went back to work and our family pet died. What do you suggest?
- My son is 2 years old and has such severe outbursts and tantrums that it scares us. What do we do?
- My son gets angry easily and is anxious about it. Will a safe, over-the-counter remedy or a gluten-free diet help?
- My son can’t stop kicking the floor in class. Sensory strategies haven’t helped. What can we do?
- My daughter only acts out with my ex. Could it be oppositional defiant disorder?
- My daughter is so aggressive she isn’t welcome at her grandparents’ house anymore. What should we do?
- My 9-year-old won’t listen to me, and I don’t have much patience with her anymore. Any suggestions?
- My 7-year-old, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy, has been having outbursts at home since starting school. What should I do?
- My 7-year-old granddaughter’s aggression is getting worse. What does it mean? And what can we do?
- My 6-year-old son is in trouble for being defiant in school, but we don’t see any of this behavior at home. What can I do?
- My 6-year-old son gets anger attacks and his mind and reasoning completely shut down. During a recent one I didn’t know if he was trying to hurt himself or me. What can I do?
- My 5-year-old son will not stay in time out. What am I doing wrong?
- My 5-year-old is being disruptive towards the end of the school day. What can I do to help him?
- My 5-year-old doesn’t listen to me and is disrespectful. Time-outs don’t work. What should I do?
- My 5-year-old daughter has been flying into a rage if she doesn’t get something right. What should I do?
- My 4-year-old has been kicked out of preschool for behavior problems we don’t see anywhere else. What can I do?
- I’m 13, and I think I have social anxiety. My parents say I have disruptive behavior. How can I tell which I have?
- I have a 9-year-old son who won’t listen to his mother. What can we do?
- My son, who has ADHD, is defiant and emotionally over-reactive. Parenting him is like riding a roller coaster. What type of therapies could help?
- My son, who has ADHD, is becoming aggressive when I ask him to do things. How should I handle this?
- My 14-year-old daughter hasn’t had success with stimulants. Should she try Abilify?
- When should you get help for a child who’s a habitual liar?
- Is it common for kids with ADHD to have great behavior at school and difficult behavior at home?
- Is it normal to have “waves” of bad behavior? Our son is good for a week, then starts again.
- How can I stop my daughter’s violence towards me and her younger brother?
