One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is the ability to handle intense emotions—disappointment, sadness, anger, fear, excitement, happiness—in healthy ways. For toddlers and preschoolers, what parents call "tantrums," child development experts call "communication." Stay calm, give your little one space, and use the words he can’t. For example: “I can tell you’re upset because I wouldn’t let you ride your scooter in the street. When you calm down, we can talk about what you can do instead.” When the screaming stops, thank him for calming down and move on. Older kids and teens have words to express their feelings, but they often choose not to use them. Instead, they might shut out the world and disappear into video games, act out in anger, vent on social media or even harm themselves. Try making a list of healthy coping skills, hanging it on the fridge and talking to the child's teachers about which strategies work well for him. When your child does want to talk, practic...