Between the ages of 2 and 4 bring about the most amazing tantrums ever, one of the main reasons for a Tantrum from a toddler is lack of communication between the toddler and the parent.
Finding what the cause of the tantrum is a great place to start and can usually lead the way in stopping a tantrum.

But what do you do if the tantrum continues?

There are many things that you can do, but this methods works about 9 out 10 times, which is a very high percentage considering most other methods work about 6 out of 10 times.

What to do.
For example, if a child wants something and you don't want them to have it, and you would rather them do something else, such as play with a doll, (to distract them form what ever it was you didn't want them to do).


Their first reaction is "TANTRUM" which of course is their way of getting what they want.
Now, here's the trick. After doing what ever it is you would normally do (as this may work straight away), which could be explaining that the thing they want is breakable and not a toy, or letting the child know the thing they want is already broken. When all that you normally do is done, simply and this is very simple, get your child to say "Yes". It doesn't matter what they yes to, just get them to say yes.

I shall explain in a little more detail.
Your child asks for a biscuit, you say (always speak with a calm, upbeat, happy voice) "would you like to play with your doll". The answer is probably going to be No. You could ask the same question again, with yet another No. Ask a totally different question, such as "do you want to ride your bike" yet another no. Another, "do you want to see nanny tomorrow, yes" and again another no (now adding a yes to your question). Ask another question, "do you want to go for a swing, yes", still another no. Keep going with the questions until you get a yes, it should take just 2 - 4 questions to get a yes. When you do get a yes such as "do you want ride your bike, yes", when your child says yes, you immediately you say in a very soft gentle voice, "ok let's go and play with your doll". Amazingly, they will do exactly what you have just asked them to do.

Why does this work?
Pretty simple really, a toddler (without understanding why) wants to be in charge of what is happening. Getting them to say yes to something, they now feel that they are in control and all you have to do is agree with them by saying ok. By saying Ok let's go play with the doll, they now believe that their request has been met, even though you made the request for them, they think that it's theirs. They now go and do what you want them to.

It's really just another form of redirection by changing the subject and giving them another option.
It also relies on the fact that their attention span is quite small at that age, and a few simple questions about their favourite things will distract them long enough to help them to forget what the tantrum was all about.

And of course don't forget that the word "Yes" is a very powerful and an extremely positive tool and can achieve the most amazing things in life, even for adults in an adult world.