Your Concerns about Angry Outbursts/ Temper Tantrums, Preschool

You said that your child has temper tantrums once in a while. When upset, s/he may do things like pound his/her fists, scream, hit objects, or slam doors. You may notice that your child cries and whines, especially when s/he is hungry or tired. Your child may show you s/he is angry by hitting or biting. Many of these behaviors are common in children your child's age.

Warning signs that things are getting worse:

• Your child loses his/her temper several times a day
• Your child tantrums or cries for longer periods of time
• Even small things seem to upset him/her a great deal
• Your child cries more often
• Your child is difficult to calm or cheer up.
• Your child starts having lots of problems at daycare/preschool
• Your child's teacher/daycare provider is very concerned about these things

If you think these are getting worse talk to your child's doctor, even if you have discussed these things before.

Adapted in part from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996).