Surely it is better to talk to the child straight after the tantrum
LOL. Ever tried talking to a child just after a tantrum?
or indeed diffuse the tantrum, then allow the child the talk about how they feel before and after the tantrum.
The naughty step is supposed to diffuse the tantrum and take away the audience. That's the whole point of it. It's effective sometimes. I think it was developed by people who don't believe in spanking children. Personally I think spanking is essential, but the naughty step can be a useful tool if not over used.
To allow a child to sit in a corner, or designated space for a period of time resolves nothing.
It gives them and you a time out so that...
* they can calm down
* you can respond maturely
I can only think that it is quite humiliating for a child.
Yeah - I bet they're scarred for life. Why did you become an axe-murderer Billy? "It all started back when I was 15 months old and my mum made me sit on the naughty step for a whole two minutes".