Lesson plans about tantrums

Teachers & homeschoolers · Lesson plan · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What grade bands are suitable for tantrums lesson plans?

Tantrums lesson plans can be adapted to a range of age groups, mainly preschool through middle school, with each grade band requiring specific approaches to match developmental readiness. For preschoolers (ages 3-5), the focus is on building basic emotional awareness—helping children identify and name feelings like anger, frustration, and sadness. Activities include simple stories, face cards, and practicing gentle calming techniques like deep breathing. At this stage, the goal is to teach children that feelings are okay, but there are better ways to express them than through tantrums.

For early elementary students (kindergarten through 2nd grade), lessons expand to recognizing common triggers, such as feeling tired, hungry, or misunderstood, and learning verbal skills to express emotions instead of acting out. Role-play and group discussions around personal experiences can help children see that everyone has big feelings sometimes. Middle schoolers (grades 6-8) are ready for more complex understanding of why tantrums happen—exploring the biology of emotions, the social impact of outbursts, and strategies for self-regulation and peer support. They can work on identifying their own triggers in journals or small group discussions and practice calming and problem-solving techniques.

Adapting the lesson to developmental levels ensures that children are neither overwhelmed nor under-challenged, creating a strong foundation for emotional well-being.

What materials are needed for a tantrums lesson plan?

A tantrums lesson plan uses materials easily found in most classrooms or homes, eliminating the need for printables or special resources. Here is a detailed list:

• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers: For writing down feelings, triggers, or group ideas during discussions.
• Emotion cards or drawings: These can be simple hand-drawn faces showing different emotions—happy, sad, angry, frustrated, calm—to help children visually connect words to feelings. For preschoolers, colorful and exaggerated faces work best.
• Paper and coloring supplies: Crayons, markers, or colored pencils for children to draw their feelings or calming scenes.
• Comfortable space: A designated calm corner with pillows, soft mats, or a beanbag chair where children can practice calming strategies or take a break if overwhelmed.
• Timer or stopwatch: Useful for timing calming exercises like deep breathing or quiet time, helping children experience the effect of focused calming for a set period.
• Storybooks or videos about tantrums and feelings: Optional but helpful tools to introduce the topic and spark conversation. For example, a short story about a character managing big feelings can engage learners and provide a relatable example.

By using familiar materials, teachers and homeschoolers can easily implement lesson plans without extra preparation or expense, focusing instead on interaction and emotional learning.

How can teachers warm up the lesson on tantrums?

The warm-up sets the tone and helps children connect with their own experiences around feelings and tantrums. Here are three concrete warm-up activities:

1. Emotion Charades: Invite students to take turns acting out an emotion (like anger, sadness, happiness, or frustration) without words, while classmates guess. This playful activity builds emotional vocabulary and nonverbal understanding. For example, a child might stomp their feet and frown to show frustration, prompting guesses like "angry" or "mad." This encourages kids to recognize physical signs of emotions.

1. Feelings Circle: Gather students in a circle and ask each child to name one feeling they have experienced recently. Model by saying, “I felt happy this morning,” then go around the circle. Reinforce that all feelings are normal and important. This promotes openness and normalizes talking about emotions.

1. Story or Video Clip: Share a brief story or video showing a character having a tantrum. Pause to ask, “How do you think this character feels? Why?” This anchors the lesson in a concrete example and encourages empathy. For preschoolers, choose simple stories, and for older children, select clips showing realistic emotional responses.

These warm-up activities prepare students to engage thoughtfully in the lesson and create a safe space for sharing.

What points should be covered in direct instruction?

Direct instruction gives children clear, understandable information about tantrums and emotions. Use simple, concrete language and examples. Key points to cover include:

• What is a tantrum? Explain that a tantrum is a strong way of showing big feelings like anger, frustration, or sadness when children (or even adults) feel overwhelmed or don’t know how to express themselves with words. Use examples: “Sometimes when you want something and can’t have it, you might feel like yelling or crying.”

• Why do tantrums happen? Discuss common triggers children might recognize: being tired, hungry, feeling ignored, or needing help but not knowing how to ask. For example, “If you’re very hungry and someone says ‘no’ to a snack, you might feel upset.” This helps children see tantrums as normal reactions.

• Physical signs of a tantrum: Describe signs like red face, loud yelling, stomping feet, or crying hard. Children can practice recognizing these signs in themselves and others.

• Feelings are okay: Emphasize that having big feelings is normal and okay, but it’s important to find ways to express them safely. Use wording like, “Everyone gets upset sometimes, and that’s okay. What matters is how we handle those feelings.”

• Calming strategies: Teach simple tools such as taking deep breaths (“Breathe in slowly through your nose, hold it, then blow out like blowing on a hot cup of cocoa”), counting to ten, or finding a quiet spot to calm down. Demonstrate and practice together.

• When to ask for help: Encourage children to reach out to a trusted adult when feelings feel too big or if a tantrum is hard to control.

Providing clear definitions and practical strategies helps children understand their emotions and what they can do about them, empowering them to manage big feelings better.

What are effective main activities for teaching about tantrums?

Hands-on activities engage learners and reinforce concepts through practice. Here is a suggested sequence of activities with detailed steps:

1. Emotion Sorting Game: Prepare picture cards showing different emotions. Ask children to sort them into two piles: “calm feelings” and “big feelings” (such as anger or sadness). After sorting, discuss why some feelings feel bigger or stronger. For example, “Why do you think being angry feels bigger than being happy?”

1. Trigger Brainstorm: Invite students to share times when they have felt upset or frustrated. Write their responses on the board or chart paper. Use prompts like, “What are some things that make you feel like yelling or crying?” This validates children’s experiences and helps them identify personal triggers.

1. Calming Practice: Teach and practice a calming technique together. For instance, lead a deep breathing exercise: “Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 2, then breathe out through your mouth for 6 seconds.” Use a timer or count aloud. Repeat a few times, inviting children to notice how their body feels afterward.

1. Role-Play Scenarios: In pairs or small groups, children take turns acting out a situation that might cause a tantrum and then demonstrating a calming response. For example, one child might pretend to be frustrated because they can’t have a toy, and the other helps them calm down by suggesting breathing or asking for help. Afterwards, discuss what worked well.

1. Creative Expression: Have children draw or write about a time they felt upset and what helped them calm down. For younger kids, drawing faces or scenes works well; older children can write short sentences or stories. Sharing these helps kids reflect and practice emotional vocabulary.

These activities combine cognitive, social, and emotional learning, making the lesson memorable and applicable.

What discussion questions help deepen understanding?

Discussion questions encourage students to think critically about emotions and behavior, developing empathy and self-awareness. Use open-ended questions such as:

• “Why do you think people have tantrums instead of talking?”
• “What does it feel like inside your body when you get really upset?”
• “Have you ever helped a friend who was angry or crying? What did you do?”
• “What are some ways you can calm down if you feel a tantrum coming?”
• “Why is it important to understand our own feelings and those of others?”

Encourage students to answer in complete sentences and follow up with prompts like, “Can you tell me more about that?” or “How did that make you feel?” For middle schoolers, add questions about how tantrums affect friendships or schoolwork, fostering deeper reflection on social consequences.

These discussions help children connect their learning to real life and build emotional intelligence.

How can educators assess understanding and provide an exit ticket?

Assessment should be supportive and simple, focusing on children’s ability to recognize emotions and calming tools. An effective exit ticket might ask students to:

• Name one feeling they learned about today.
• Share one calming strategy they want to try next time they feel upset.
• Draw a face showing a big feeling and a face showing calm, or write a sentence about a time they calmed down.

For example, a student might say, “I learned that counting to ten helps me feel better,” or draw a sad face next to a happy face. This shows comprehension and readiness to apply skills.

Teachers can collect these exit tickets privately or invite voluntary sharing to maintain a safe environment. For middle school learners, a short written reflection or journal entry about what triggers their own big feelings and how they can respond can serve as a more advanced assessment.

How can homeschoolers differentiate or extend the lesson?

Homeschoolers have flexibility to tailor the lesson to their child's interests, needs, and pace. Here are ways to differentiate and extend:

• For younger children or those who need sensory input, include calming activities like squeezing a stress ball, swinging gently, or using a weighted blanket during calming time.
• For children who love movement, incorporate yoga poses or stretching as part of a calming routine.
• Older children or those ready for deeper work can keep a feelings journal for a week, noting when they felt upset and what helped them calm down.
• Use puppets or role-play games to act out tantrum scenarios and practice emotional vocabulary in a fun way.
• Create a “Calm Down Box” or “Feelings Toolbox” stocked with items like favorite books, soft toys, or breathing exercise cards that children can choose from when upset.
• Include family conversations about emotions, encouraging siblings or parents to share their own calming strategies and experiences with big feelings.
• Integrate mindfulness exercises, such as guided meditation or progressive muscle relaxation, adapted to children’s attention spans.
• For children with special needs, work closely with therapists or counselors to customize calming strategies and communication techniques.

These extensions help build lasting emotional skills and create a supportive learning environment tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Frequently asked questions

How can I adapt tantrums lessons for middle school students?

Middle schoolers benefit from exploring the biology behind tantrums, understanding personal triggers, and practicing emotional self-awareness. Use journaling, role-playing, and group discussions to foster empathy and problem-solving. Encourage peer support skills like listening and validating feelings, helping teens manage frustration more independently.

What are simple calming techniques for preschoolers during tantrums?

Preschoolers respond well to easy, sensory-based calming tools like deep belly breaths, counting slowly to five, hugging a favorite stuffed animal, or sitting quietly in a cozy corner. Visual or musical aids, like a calming song or a glitter jar, can help them focus and relax.

What signs indicate a tantrum is starting and how can I intervene?

Signs include increased restlessness, louder voice, frowning, clenching fists, or stomping. Intervene by calmly acknowledging feelings (“I see you’re upset”), offering choices (“Would you like to take some deep breaths or sit in the calm corner?”), and guiding the child gently to a calming activity before the tantrum escalates.

Can tantrum lessons help children with special needs?

Yes, tantrum lessons adapted with visual supports, consistent routines, and individualized calming strategies can be very effective for children with special needs. Focus on teaching emotional vocabulary, sensory regulation, and communication methods suited to each child’s abilities.

How do I talk to parents about tantrum lessons?

Explain that the lessons teach children to understand and manage big feelings safely. Share simple strategies families can use at home, like calm-down corners and breathing exercises. Encourage parents to use consistent language about emotions and support their child’s progress by practicing calming skills together.