Use the art of distraction. Make a silly face, pretend to fall, do a funny dance—whatever you have to do to divert attention from her misery.

If you have a doll or puppet with you or nearby, talk to the child in the doll’s or puppet’s voice. For a child, sometimes talking to a “peer” and explaining how upset she is is easier and more comforting than talking to a parent.

Change the scene. Taking a child into a restroom, outside a store, or back to your car usually gets her to calm down.

Get your child to take several slow, deep breaths—into a paper bag if she’s really lost control.

Unless she’s really misbehaving (hitting, kicking, throwing things, or screaming uncontrollably), try ignoring her.