Welcome to Tantrum Tamer! 🎉
Follow This Step-By-Step App Guide To Calmer, Happier, More Capable Kids
You're About to Transform Your Family's Daily Life
We’re so glad you’re here! Tantrum Tamer is designed to help you raise happy, emotionally regulated, independent kids—and we know that starts with understanding your child’s brain and meeting their needs proactively.
This isn’t about behavior modification or quick fixes. This is about supporting your child’s brain development so they can build real skills like impulse control, emotional regulation, and cooperation.
The best part? You don’t have to do everything at once. We’ll show you exactly where to start based on where your child is right now.
"This app changed the trajectory of my families life."
Start Here: Your First Steps After Downloading and setting up account
Step 1: Parent Support Section (Everyone Starts Here!)
Before you dive into any tools, head to the Parent Support Section first. This is your foundation. We made this Free so all parents can access the information and resources I wish I had.
Read the parent tips to learn:
- How to respond to meltdowns in the moment
- Root causes of tantrums and challenging behaviors
- Why your child acts the way they do (it’s neurological, not manipulative!)
- Practical strategies you can use right away
Understanding the “why” behind behaviors changes everything. When you know what’s really happening in your child’s brain, you’ll respond calmly with confidence instead of frustration. This builds lasting connection.
Next check out our Videos Tab for parenting strategies. As well as learning how and why the Fear Paralysis Reflex Exercise can be a Game-changer for Meltdowns! This exercise is helpful if your child has:
- Frequent or extreme meltdowns
- Startles easily
- High anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
This exercise can work wonders! Many parents report significant improvements in their child’s ability to regulate after doing this simple exercise consistently.
Step 2: Check Out Our Calm Features
Helping break the patterns of the fight, flight, freeze instinct allows you and your child to calm, pause and think. This is key to helping your child’s brain learn how to regulate itself.
Breathing Animations (the Pinwheel is Free!) Fun visual exercises to help both you AND your child calm down during tough moments. Even Adults report calming effects helping them focus on connection. Use these:
- Before transitions
- During meltdowns
- When you feel yourself getting frustrated
- Anytime anyone needs to reset
Calming Corner Creator Design a personalized safe space where your child can go when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Step 3: Set Up Your Daily Schedule
Head to My Day Scheduler and plan out your child’s day to meet their physical, emotional, and sensory needs proactively.
Make sure to include:
- Movement breaks
- Sensory activities
- “You and Me Time” – connection time with your child (this is crucial!)
- Calming activities
- Predictable routines
Why this matters: When your child’s needs are met throughout the day, they’re more regulated and ready to cooperate. This prevents most tantrums before they even start!
Pro tip: Even small changes to your schedule can make a big difference. Don’t feel like you must overhaul everything at once.
Where to Go Next: Choose Your Path
Path A: For Littles or Kids Still Learning to Follow Simple Commands
If your child is:
- Ages 2-4 and/or
- Still learning to follow one-step directions
- Having trouble with basic cooperation
Start small—don’t jump into the whole reward system yet!
Begin With These Tools:
- Timers (All Done Timer) – Use timers to give your child advance warning before transitions:
- “Do you want 2 or 3 more minutes before we leave the park?”
- Involves them in the process
- Reduces surprise meltdowns
- First…Then Tool – This is your secret weapon for teaching cooperation!
- Start with things your child might already do: “First wash hands, Then snack”
- Help them complete the task as needed
- Give lots of praise when they follow through
Why this works: You’re teaching the concept of following directions and getting positive attention—without power struggles. This is an important first step!
- Praise Tool – Celebrate every small win! Use this to praise:
- Following directions
- Good choices
- Showing self-control
As your child starts following more directions and communicating better, you can add:
- Transition Tool – Make daily tasks fun with silly phrases and movement:
- Getting dressed
- Bath time
- Bedtime routine
- Cleanup time
- Correction Tool –Gently correct unkind words or poor choices:
- Give options for “better choice” behaviors
- Use silliness and laughter to help them relax
- Remember: we’re teaching, not punishing!
Path B: For Kids Who Can Follow Simple Directions
If your child:
- Can follow 1-2 step directions
- Is ready to work on independence
- Ages ~4-10 (works well with older neuodivergent kids too!)
You’re ready to introduce the full system!
Start With:
- Parent Support & Daily Schedule (as above) – Always start here—connection time and meeting needs proactively is key!
- Use breathing animations and design a calming corner to promote self-regulation.
- Add Helper Tools: Use the timers, First…Then, Transition, Correction, and Praise Tools to make your days smoother.
- Then, introduce “Helper Hero Tasks” & Reward Shop – Now you can introduce the reward system!Set a Self-Control Hero Goal – Encourage your child throughout the day. When they open Shop after meeting their goal, we help them celebrate with confetti!
Set up “Helper Hero tasks” in the Build independence section for:
- Getting dressed
- Brushing teeth
- Putting on shoes
- Simple chores (picking up toys, helping set table)
- Self-care skills
Customize your Reward Shop with:
- Extra time before bed
- Choosing where to go for dinner
- A trip to the park
- Special one-on-one time
- Staying up 15 minutes later
- Picking the bedtime story
- (And yes, toys or treats if you want!)
Remember: The best rewards are often positive attention and meaningful connection time! For younger children set up rewards that can be used daily. Older kids can work up to bigger things such as trip to zoo to learn saving and delayed gratification skills.
Pro Tips for Success
Customize Everything!
Most features in Tantrum Tamer can be personalized:
- Add your child’s name to phrases
- Create custom tasks in the Let’s Go section
- Add specific tasks to Little Helper
- Customize rewards that motivate YOUR child
- Choose the voice that works best for your family
Security Pin (Settings)
Turn this on or off based on your needs:
- ON: Prevents kids from adding “koins” they didn’t earn
- OFF: If you’re supervising closely or want easier access
Remember: This Is About Brain Development
Using all the tools together makes the biggest difference because you’re supporting your child’s whole nervous system:
- Meeting their needs proactively (schedule)
- Teaching cooperation without power struggles (helper tools)
- Building skills over time (reward system)
- Helping them regulate emotions (calming tools)
You’re not just managing behavior—you’re helping your child’s brain develop the skills they need for life.
Don't Get Overwhelmed!
You don’t have to use every feature on day one. Start with:
- ✅ Read parent tips
- ✅ Add “you and me time” to your schedule
- ✅ Pick ONE helper tool to try today
Even simple changes to your child’s schedule or how you respond can make a big difference.
Progress, not perfection!
Your Quick Start Checklist
This is a guide, every family is different. Some families jump into full system, while others focus on tips, animations and first, then for a long time. Choose a path that works for your lifestyle and family needs. This system is meant to grow with your child. Focus on connection and learning over perfection!
Week 1:
- Read parent tips in Parent Support
- Add connection time to daily schedule
- Try breathing animations together
- Try the First…Then tool for simple daily tasks (“first wash hands then eat snack”)
Week 2:
- Use Praise tool with Way to Go phrases at least 3 times a day
- Try All Done Timer before one transition
- Choose transition tool for one challenging routine
- Introduce Try Again for correcting poor choices
- Design your Calming Corner
Week 3 (if ready):
- Set up Little Helper tasks (start with 2-3 easy ones)
- Create reward shop with connection-focused rewards
- Set a daily Self-Control Hero goal
- Celebrate small wins!
You've Got This!
Remember: Every family is different, and every child develops at their own pace. There’s no “right” way to use this app—only what works for YOUR family.
Need help? Revisit the parent tips anytime you need encouragement or a refresher. Check out our Blogs for more detailed support on parenting and self-regulation. My blog, How to Calm Child Naturally: Brain-Supporting Activities is a great resource on easy, simple brain balance activities.
Here’s to calmer days, more cooperation, and a more connected family! 💙
Guide To App Features: What Each Tool Does
Parent Support Section
What it is: Educational tips, videos, and resources
When to use: Start here! Revisit anytime you’re struggling
What you’ll learn: Root causes of behaviors, in-the-moment strategies, proactive approaches, videos for parent strategies and Fear Paralysis Reflex.
My Day Scheduler
What it is: Plan your child’s day to meet their needs proactively to reduce meltdowns and encourage brain development of self-regulation skills.
When to use: Daily planning, especially during challenging times
What to include: Movement, sensory activities, connection time, routines
All Done Timer
Countdown timer with voice prompts
Before leaving fun activities, transitions, time to stop screen time
Let your child choose the time (2 or 3 minutes)
Note: Keep phone on to allow for timer to work!
Cooperation Tool
What it is: Visual and audio support for “do this, get that”
When to use: When you need your child to do something before a preferred activity
Examples: First brush teeth, Then story time / First cleanup, Then park.
Use voice prompts and say activity you want to do (your choice), then state what they will get to do after (childs preferred activity). Start with simple short activities they can do or you can help them with. use short phrase and give children time to process. Wait until they complete with or without your help. Example with toddler, “first put puzzle on help, then play outside”
Teaching children a First, Then strategy works like magic. Once they get this concept you can use to improve cooperation with all kinds of tasks.
Remember to choose wisely with activities your child is able to do, so you are not tempted to give in.
Pro Tip: Do something while you are waiting to reduce pressure and need to repeat your self or give in!
Transition Tool
What it is: Fun phrases with movement to make daily tasks enjoyable. This combines the magic of giving choices, being silly and adding movement for regulation to turn transitions into fun family moments. Great alternative to asking your child “are you ready to take a bath”, which invites resistance.
When to use: Getting dressed, bath time, bedtime, cleanup, leaving the house, and more
How to use: Search for activity you want your child to do. Select 1 of 4 phrases your child will respond to best and select play. Phrase will state activity for you, as we know children often listen better to others. Once child completes task you can reward kid Koins. Just pushing the super hero high five button is a reward for a lot of kids.
Pro tip: Use the add button at the bottom to customize with your child’s name and specific situations!
Correction Tool
What it is: Gentle correction for poor choices or unkind words
When to use: After hitting, mean words, not listening, or any “not good choice” behavior
Remember: Use silliness! Laughter helps the nervous system relax and breaks pattern of fight, flight, freeze instinct.
Pro Tip: Follow up with Praise tool for better choice responses.
Praise Tool
What it is: Praise phrases for positive behaviors
When to use: Following directions, good choices, showing self-control, being kind
Pro tip: The more you catch them being good, the more good behavior you’ll see!
Build Independence Tool ("Helper Hero")
What it is: Track independence in daily self care tasks and chores, earn Kid Koins. As an OT, I am big on encouraging kids to do things on their own to build skills and confidence.
When to use: Once your child can follow simple directions with or without help.
Examples: Getting dressed, brushing teeth, potty training tasks, making bed, feeding pet, more
Pro Tip: Customize by adding an activity.
Check out tips on “Teaching Independence” for guidance and milestones by age in Parent Support section.
Reward Shop (Kid Koins)
What it is: Customizable rewards your child “buys” with earned koins Best rewards: Extra time with you, choosing activities, special privileges Pro tip: Focus on connection, not just material items!
Self-Control Hero Goal
What it is: One daily goal to work on When to use: Every day! Make it achievable Examples: Kind words, gentle hands, following directions, trying new foods
Calming Corner
What it is: Design a safe space for emotional regulation When to use: When overwhelmed, upset, or needing a resetInclude: Cozy spot, sensory tools, calming activities, comfort items
Breathing Animations
What it is: Visual breathing exercises When to use: During stress, before transitions, during meltdowns, when YOU need to calm down Pro tip: Practice when everyone’s calm so it’s easier to use during tough moments!
Fear Paralysis Reflex Exercise Video
What it is: A specific exercise to help with regulation Who needs this: Kids with frequent meltdowns, high anxiety, startle easily, or sleep difficulties When to use: Watch the video to learn who benefits and how to do it Results: Many parents see significant improvements in calming and regulation!
Resources Guide
What it is: Curated recommendations for books and sensory supplies When to use: Anytime you need additional support Includes: Parenting books, children’s social-emotional books, sensory supplies
Video Library
What it is: Step-by-step guidance on using strategies When to use: Learning new techniques, need a refresher, want to see it in action Topics: Meltdown support, calming reflex exercises, in-the-moment guidance
Welcome to your parenting support system! We’re honored to be part of your family’s journey. 🌟
