I have a little guy ~ 18 months in my care who has been my dream daycare child. Always happy- full of energy! For the pats 2- 3 weeks he has been starting to have temper tantrums. Normal for his age and Mom and Dad have noticed it at home too. They are ignoring the behavior.
I've already addressed that moving forward drop off and pick up is quick as he is throwing himself down, not letting them put his jacket on and when up in their arms, arching his back etc.
This little guy has had a cold so I felt the melt downs that seem to be getting more each day are due to not feeling all that great. The little one is on the mend and the cold is almost gone. EVERYTHING is a melt down. If I ask for a toy that was in his mouth and put it up ..he throws himself down and has a tantrum (kicking feet and crying) if I re-direct him to another toy- it goes in the mouth...almost like he knows that I'm going to take it away as he puts it in his mouth and watches me he is doing it. I calmly tell him that we don't put toys in our mouths and ask for it- some times he is throwing it instead of giving it to me.
If I leave the playroom to get snack or bathroom- meltdown and halls on the gate. Time to leave the park- screaming, head back and throws himself down.

My question, how would you handle this. I've had terrible twos with all of my daycare kids plus my own but never come across a little one who gets so upset for everything. Do you think parents ignoring is upseting him? I used to walk away but now I pick him up and tell him that we don't kick and scream and redirect him with a book as he loves books and or something else. I just found that leaving it alone almost seems to bother him more and he gets louder.
I am doing a lot of positive reinforcement for his good behaivor, giving high fives and hugs for all the good things that he does but not sure which direction to go with these constant through out our day meltdowns.