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What other behaviours often occur with tantrums?
Tantrums often occur alongside crying, screaming, throwing, hitting, biting, breath-holding and clinginess, and tend to cluster around tiredness, hunger, transitions and communication frustration. These are usually a normal part of early childhood. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
Tantrums rarely travel alone — knowing the company they keep helps you respond with calm instead of worry.
In short
Tantrums often appear alongside other normal big-feeling behaviours of early childhood — crying, screaming, throwing things, flopping to the floor, hitting or biting, breath-holding, and clinginess. They also commonly cluster around tiredness, hunger, transitions and frustration when a child can't yet put feelings into words. These companions are usually a typical part of growing up, not a sign that something is wrong.
The behaviours that often go together
- Physical outbursts — kicking, throwing, hitting, biting or flopping to the ground when overwhelmed.
- Vocal distress — screaming, crying, whining or shouting that can build quickly and ease just as fast.
- Breath-holding spells — some children hold their breath until they go red or briefly pale during intense crying; frightening to watch but usually harmless.
- Clinginess and seeking comfort — wanting to be held immediately after, as the storm passes.
- Frustration around words — tantrums often peak when a child understands more than they can say, so communication frustration and meltdowns travel together.
- Sleep and hunger links — outbursts cluster when a child is overtired, hungry or facing a tricky transition (leaving the park, screen off, bedtime).
Most of these settle as language, self-soothing and emotional skills grow through the toddler and preschool years.
When to seek a check
Consider a gentle developmental check if tantrums are very frequent, last a long time, involve hurting self or others regularly, continue intensely beyond around age five, or come with little speech, very limited eye contact, or difficulty connecting with others. Frequent breath-holding that leads to fainting is worth mentioning to your paediatrician.
The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. If frustration around communication seems to fuel the outbursts, our speech therapy support can help your child find words for big feelings, and a structured AbilityScore® assessment gives a clear, reassuring picture of how your child is growing. Explore more developmental guidance on our home page.
Trusted sources
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) guidance on temper tantrums and managing toddler behaviour; CDC milestone and positive parenting resources on emotional development in early childhood.
Next step — Curious about your child's emotional and communication development? Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch for tantrums that are very frequent or prolonged, regularly involve hurting self or others, continue intensely beyond about age five, or come with very little speech, limited eye contact or trouble connecting. Frequent breath-holding leading to fainting is worth mentioning to your paediatrician.
In everyday life
Head off many outbursts by spotting the triggers early — a snack, a rest, or a calm warning before transitions (“two more slides, then we go”) prevents the overtired, hungry, surprised moments when tantrums brew.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
Are tantrums with hitting or biting normal in toddlers?
Yes — young children often hit, bite or throw during a tantrum because they don't yet have the words or self-control to manage big feelings. It usually eases as language and emotional skills grow. If it's frequent or causes injury, a gentle developmental check can reassure and guide you.
Why does my child hold their breath during tantrums?
Breath-holding spells during intense crying are common in young children and, while frightening to watch, are usually harmless and self-resolving. Mention them to your paediatrician, especially if your child faints or it happens often.
Could frequent tantrums mean a speech delay?
Sometimes. Tantrums often peak when a child understands more than they can say, so frustration around communication can fuel outbursts. If your child has very little speech alongside frequent tantrums, a speech and developmental check is worthwhile.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org — temper tantrums and toddler behaviour
- Organisation website · further readingCDC — positive parenting and early emotional development
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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