[Belaben Shah]

I have a separate table and ‘alone’ play area for every child. I try to guide a child to their ‘alone’ area when having tantrums and try to divert their attention to their favorite toy or activity and ask if they would like to include me in that activity or play with me which is usually enough to distract them from the thing that triggered the tantrum

[Trainer]

Great strategies, Belaben! Creating individual spaces and using distraction techniques can effectively help manage tantrums while fostering emotional regulation. Your approach promotes a calm classroom environment while supporting each child’s needs.

[hailey]

I always use a clam voice and ask the child if there is any way I can help them. usually especially with the toddlers simply asking what they need or if they need a hug is all they need to stop a tantrum and go back to working on what they need to be working on.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Hailey! Using a calm voice and offering support are effective strategies. Your approach fosters a nurturing environment, helping children feel safe and understood during challenging moments. Keep it up!

[Shar Olguin]

Taking a deep breath to help maintain my calmness and then getting my student to breath with me and count to 5. I offer the calm down/quiet area if it’s just too much and once the student has calmed down I talk with them to try to figure out what set them off to begin with and then figure out how we can make it better.

[Trainer]

Great strategies, Shar! Your approach to modeling calmness and creating a safe space for students is essential. Engaging them in reflection post-tantrum fosters emotional understanding and resilience. Keep it up!

[Sineka Abeysekara]

Tantrums can be tough, but they’re also incredible opportunities to teach emotional regulation, patience, and coping strategies! Here are some effective techniques to turn tantrum moments into teachable moments while creating a happy, organized, and visually calm classroom:1) Acknowledge & Validate FeelingsSay “I see you’re upset. It’s okay to feel that way.” This teaches kids that emotions are normal and can be managed. Use visual emotion charts to help them name their feelings.2) Use Gentle RedirectionInstead of saying “Stop crying,” try “Let’s take a deep breath together.” Sensory corners (soft pillows, stress balls) can help them self-soothe.3) Teach Coping Strategies Through PlayIntroduce “big feelings” stories or role-playing activities to show ways to calm down. Incorporate breathing exercises (like pretending to blow up a balloon).4) Create a Visually Calm EnvironmentSoft lighting, neutral colors, and organized spaces reduce overstimulation. Quiet corners with soft textures allow kids to reset.5) Praise Positive BehaviorsCatch kids doing the right thing—“I love how you used your words instead of yelling!” Reward calm-down efforts with stickers or high-fives.A well-prepared classroom can turn chaos into calm and tantrums into growth opportunities!

[annette]

I try and stay calm and count to 5 then ask the child what thy would like, I then let the child know that they can have it in 2 minutes

[Caramia]

We calmly discuss the kind of behavior that is happening, and we discuss ways to fixit. I even give physical examples as to what can be done differently.

[Tiffany]

Stay calm and make sure there’s noting the area he could hurt his self or others with

[Sharon]

I’ve had a few children with autism in my classroom and one of the best ways that I have found so far that help with the tantrum are to Say their name calmly multiple times in either a sing Songy way or just saying it I’ve seen it break kids out of a tantrum many times

[Wendy Blikre]

I run a home daycare with a 3 yr old ASD little guy. When he has a small tantrum I can usually redirect him to one of his favorite toys that I keep out of sight until these moments. A bigger tantrum may need alone time in our cozy spot with some fidget toys. We are working on new strategies as he gets older.

[Grace]

I think one of the best strategies is prevention and by that I mean careful observation of the children and especially any child who is prone to outbursts. Intervening before the tantrum starts by noticing the subtle signs of a child becoming disregulated.

[Paige Hopfer]

I like to use music so the kids can move and express themselves. We will also do art so they can use their imagination.

[Lori Meeks]

To keep a tantrum free classroom I always try to maintain a consistent and predictable schedule. I always talk about what is coming next and give a five minute warning before we rotate to a new area. This predictability helps my ASD kids feel in control of their schedule and tends to lead to fewer tantrums.

[Katherine Ventura]

Usually when I am with a child who is throwing a tantrum, I try to calm them down by saying we need to blow the candle ( deep breaths) I usually start with lets blow the birthday candles and we take a deep breath in and blow the candle together, after they have calmed down we talk about why they were feeling that way, what can we both do to not feel that way.

[Kelsey G]

I try to help calm the child by staying calm myself and reminding them to take deep breaths. Creating a calm and supportive environment is crucial to make them feel safe and seen. Asking open ended questions and listening to them is also important to make them feel validated and helps them to understand their emotions and big feelings.

[Caitlin]

Consistency is key for me. I use a lot of visual cues for children including a visual timetable and visuals for where everything is located in the classroom so that there is predictability. I also make sure I create a safe space within the classroom for students when they begin to feel overwhelmed.