Addressing Behavioral Issues in Toddlers: Top Tips from a Behavioral Health Consultant

Tantrums in the grocery store, biting at daycare, refusing to share — if you’re navigating the early years of parenthood, these behaviors may feel all too familiar. While toddlerhood is an exciting time of rapid growth and discovery, it also comes with big emotions and limited self-control.

Understanding and addressing behavioral issues during this stage isn’t just about managing outbursts — it’s about nurturing emotional development, building trust and setting the foundation for lifelong social skills. Dr. Colby Butzon, Behavioral Health Supervisor with Le Bonheur Pediatrics, shares helpful information such as common toddler behaviors, why they happen and practical, compassionate strategies to guide your child through them.

What Do Behavioral Issues Look Like in Toddlers?

The focus on behavioral health for toddlers is supporting their emotional and social development. Toddlers aren’t blank slates; they come into the world with distinct personalities, rhythms and behaviors. Understanding this helps us better nurture their growth and well-being.

“By supporting behavioral health, we're supporting their development and supporting that relationship they have with the grownups in their lives,” states Dr. Butzon.

Toddler behavioral health differs significantly from that of older children or teens. Since toddlers can't express emotional struggles with words, they communicate through their behaviors and reactions. Caregivers play a key role in observing changes or differences in how a toddler interacts with the world, which can signal a need for support. Recognizing these cues early allows families and professionals to step in and help both the child and their caregivers foster healthy development.

“Parents are great observers,” notes Dr. Butzon. “They have a front row seat to their children’s behaviors, as well as behavioral health consultants or psychologists and pediatricians who are working with families. All of us use our keen observation skills to pick up on things that might need a bit more attention or support.”

Signs and Symptoms of Behavioral Issues

Caregivers should watch for noticeable changes in a toddler’s usual patterns, especially in sleeping, eating or behavior. While tantrums, sleep struggles and picky eating are common in this age group, shifts in their intensity or frequency may signal something more. These changes are often a good reason to seek additional input or support from a professional.

“Those are all super common red flags that arise. Where we really want to pay attention is if it is causing a lot of distress to the toddler or their family, where it's disrupting their day, where it's throwing everything off,” cautions Dr. Butzon.

At Le Bonheur Pediatrics, behavioral health consultants are available at each location to meet with families — often the same day — to assess concerns, provide strategies and determine whether further support or referrals are needed. Early conversations can help guide next steps and ensure the child gets the appropriate care.

What is Involved in a Behavioral Health Session

Behavioral health sessions for toddlers look very different from traditional therapy. Instead of one-on-one conversations, sessions involve both the child and their caregiver. Since toddlers can’t articulate their feelings, consultants rely on input from the adult and careful observation of how the child interacts with them. Sessions may include play, songs or games to help the child feel comfortable, and the goal is to understand the child within the context of their family system.

“The information gathering really comes from the grownup, but we're getting a lot of rich information just by observing the child and how they are interacting with us, how they're interacting with their grownup as well,” explains Dr. Butzon.

Key Strategies for Ongoing Support

Behavioral health support for toddlers involves working closely with parents to develop practical, personalized strategies they can use at home. Whether the issue is sleep, tantrums, toilet training or developmental concerns, the goal is to tailor recommendations to fit the family’s unique routines, resources and capacity — ensuring that the guidance is both realistic and effective.

Also, throughout this process, much of the focus is on parent training and education. Techniques like Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) are offered in primary care settings, along with psychoeducation to help families understand their child’s behavior, any diagnoses and next steps. When developmental concerns arise — such as speech delays or possible autism — providers guide families through referrals to specialists and help them navigate what to expect throughout the evaluation and follow-up process.

“We want to be sure the family is supported all the way through. That any questions they have are answered. And, that we're able to help them understand what's going on so nobody is going into this trusting their child with somebody who is a stranger,” says Dr. Butzon.

Early intervention is essential for improving long-term outcomes in young children. Addressing concerns early helps toddlers thrive in environments like preschool, daycare or social settings. In Tennessee, the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) supports children from birth to age three. But, if a child doesn’t qualify for TEIS, behavioral health consultants at Le Bonheur Pediatrics can still provide valuable support and guidance.

What is the Role of the Pediatrician?

Pediatricians play a vital role on the care team, complementing parents' deep knowledge of their children with medical and developmental expertise. During routine checkups, pediatricians assess a child’s growth and development using recommended screening tools from the American Academy of Pediatrics, monitoring key milestones like motor skills, movement and coordination to ensure healthy progress.

“When you go to your checkup and the pediatrician is having your child jump, it's not just to entertain them. It's an added benefit. It's also to check on their motor development,” shares Dr. Butzon. “But, they're also getting feedback from parents about language development, communication, personal social development.”

Providing the Best Possible Environment

To support a toddler’s emotional health, the most important elements are safe, stable and nurturing relationships. Caregivers should focus on meeting basic needs, providing consistent care, engaging in regular conversation (even with nonverbal babies) and offering positive physical touch like hugs and cuddles.

Simple activities like reading books, playing and interacting without screens are more beneficial than expensive toys or digital content. If screens are used, co-viewing and engaging with the child around the content can help maintain connection and support development.

“I would encourage families to really interact with their kiddos, talk to them, read to them, sing to them, play with them and know you're doing a great job. Kids are a lot of work, and those terrible twos, those three major years, can feel like you're holding on for dear life. Just know you're not going through it alone,” assures Dr. Butzon. “If you need support, that's what people like me are here to do.”