Offering time-outs (opposed to mandating) has worked really well for us. I'm an introvert, and sometimes need to be alone to collect my thoughts and emotions to keep all the input from being too much to process (and I'm an adult!).

This perspective really helped me understand the value of encouraging "the littlest tribe members" (as we must train them to be) to recognize when they are feeling overwhelmed and to take a step back to re-gain composure so that rational results can be achieved.

Now at age 3, when a tantrum is imminent we can ask her, "do you need to take some time for yourself?" and she'll shout, "YES I DO!" grab her teddy bears and go to her room until she's calm. ...The hardest part is keeping a straight face.