Guide to Understanding and Handling Tantrums and Meltdown

@drashleysoderlund

Temper tantrums are common and part of typical development in children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years due to immature brain development and their ability to express emotions.

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If your child has frequent, long (10 minutes or more), especially intense tantrums or meltdowns, focus on soothing their nervous systems first. This is a sensory meltdown, which is different from a tantrum.

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If your child frequently reacts to sensory overload, the main goal is to work on stress reduction. Practicing things like deep breathing in a game-like way in calm times will help you be able to soothe your child in the meltdown moments too.

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Tantrums are most commonly caused by physiological discomfort or dysregulation, over-stimulation, or your child’s drive for exploration and independence is blocked.

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Tantrums are evidence of a dysregulated nervous system. You know your child best. You know what creates stress for your child and how to soothe your child. Be a stress detective for your child and look for their tantrum triggers.

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THE WHOLE BRAIN CHILD

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@drashleysoderlund

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@drashleysoderlund

The Definitive Guide to Understanding and Handling Tantrums and Meltdown

The first thing to understand about toddler tantrums is that they are a normal part of development.

Temper tantrums are common and part of typical development in children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years due to immature brain development and their ability to express emotions.

Takeaway #1

If your child has frequent, long (10 minutes or more), especially intense tantrums or meltdowns, focus on soothing their nervous systems first. This is a sensory meltdown, which is different from a tantrum.

Takeaway #2

If your child frequently reacts to sensory overload, the main goal is to work on stress reduction. Practicing things like deep breathing in a game-like way in calm times will help you be able to soothe your child in the meltdown moments too.

Takeaway #3

Tantrums are most commonly caused by physiological discomfort or dysregulation, over-stimulation, or your child’s drive for exploration and independence is blocked.

Takeaway #4

Tantrums are evidence of a dysregulated nervous system. You know your child best. You know what creates stress for your child and how to soothe your child. Be a stress detective for your child and look for their tantrum triggers.

Takeaway #5

THE WHOLE BRAIN CHILD

If you want a single reason to be patient with your child when they're melting down or being unreasonable in some way, this is it: their brain isn't fully formed yet, and they are, at times, literally incapable of controlling their emotions and body.

@drashleysoderlund

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