Toddlers have tantrums because they get frustrated very easily. Most toddlers still do not talk much. They have trouble asking for things and expressing their feelings. Toddlers also have very few problem-solving skills. Tantrums are most likely to happen when toddlers are hungry, exhausted, or over-excited.
Preschoolers are less likely to throw tantrums.
They have developed more coping skills and are able to communicate better. Some children learn at this age that tantrums can be used to get something they want. If caregivers give in to demands, tantrums may begin to occur with greater frequency. Older children are typically more tolerant of frustrating situations, but they too get exhausted, hungry, and irritable. Learning to get along with friends, work as part of a team, or compete in a sport requires skills that many older kids haven't fully developed yet.