03 Jul Early-intervention program helps reduce toddler tantrums and aggressive behaviour

A play-based therapy designed to help parents manage children’s behaviour is showing promising long-lasting results. 

Parents of toddlers with challenging behaviours are finding support through an early-intervention program for children aged 12–24 months.

Developed by researchers at UNSW Sydney and early parenting organisation Karitane, the program focuses not just on reducing difficult behaviour, but on strengthening the relationship between parent and child.

“Having young toddlers can be hard, but it’s especially hard when your child is having multiple tantrums per day and showing aggression,” says Dr Jane Kohlhoff, lead author of the study. “It can make it difficult to enjoy parenting.”

Coaching parents in real time

The eight-week program involves weekly parent-child play sessions. While the pair plays together, a therapist observes from another room and coaches the parent via a Bluetooth earpiece.

“The therapist helps the parent identify the source of the child’s behaviour and guides them in how to respond. This instant feedback is supportive and powerful,” says Dr Kohlhoff.

As parents become more confident in reading their child’s cues, they are better able to support emotional regulation — skills children gradually begin to develop themselves.

A follow-up four months later showed lasting improvements in children’s behaviour, parenting confidence and the overall parent-child relationship.

Understanding what’s behind the behaviour

For many families, the biggest shift is learning to see behaviour differently.

Adrienne*, who joined the program when her daughter was 15 months old, says the tantrums were constant.

“At that age, she didn’t have the words to say what she wanted, so she used her voice to get attention,” she says.

The program encourages parents to look beyond the behaviour itself and identify what’s driving it — often frustration, fear or overwhelm.

“Often, the behaviour isn’t deliberate disobedience, but a result of the child’s struggle with new, big emotions,” Dr Kohlhoff explains.

For example, a toddler becoming rough during play may simply be feeling frustrated when something doesn’t work. In these moments, parents are encouraged to step in calmly, name the feeling and offer reassurance.

Small changes that make a big difference

Adrienne says the real-time guidance made a noticeable difference.

“It really helped getting instant advice through the headset. My husband and I feel more at ease knowing how to help her during meltdowns,” she says.

The program also focuses on everyday interactions — from how parents play to how they praise.

“I’m more mindful of what I say. I’ve learnt to be specific in my praise rather than saying something general like ‘Good girl’,” she says.

Why early intervention matters

While some aggression and irritability are a normal part of toddler development, ongoing challenging behaviours can signal a child may need extra support.

“Emotion regulation problems underlie many adult psychological disorders,” says Dr Kohlhoff.

Addressing these behaviours early can help set children up with stronger emotional skills for later life.

Simple approaches — letting the child lead play, offering specific praise and creating positive shared experiences — all support healthy development.

Helping toddlers build emotional skills

Young children are still learning what emotions are and how to manage them.

“One of the best things a parent can do is to help their child understand and manage their emotions. We can’t expect young toddlers to do it themselves,” Dr Kohlhoff says.

When a child is overwhelmed, parents are encouraged to respond with calm support, helping them settle and gradually build their own coping skills over time.

Looking ahead

The program, trialled in south-west Sydney through Karitane, is now part of its clinical services. Researchers hope it can be expanded more widely as further studies continue.