09/12/2024
Very interesting and so true. Good to remember this moving into silly season. Thanks Orit Berman 🙏🏻
A reminder for the holidays:
It is important to remember that there is a difference between a tantrum and a meltdown when your little one is freaking out because the underlying reason is different and therefore the way we handle it is different too!
A tantrum usually needs an audience because they are trying to achieve a desired outcome be it a thing or a reaction. Their eyes are usually open. They are able to use cognitive strategies and are in control of what they are doing. A child can become extremely dysregulated while having a tantrum, which can lead to meltdown. Tantrums are usually resolved through reminders of boundaries and removal from a situation or by distracting them.
A meltdown on the other hand usually has a sensory base and is not a conscious decision. It is a reaction to an event or a feeling. It is NOT goal-oriented. It usually builds up and the meltdown is a way to get it all out. A meltdown continues with/without an audience. It has been described as a “out of body experience”. It only ends when the child is regulated and the feelings are “out”. The child is usually drained/exhausted after a meltdown. In this situation, it is important to keep the child safe and to co-regulate. The child cannot think in this state so talking and bargaining doesn’t work. It is helpful to know their sensory processing needs so that you can tap into that in order to help them regulate. Perhaps pop a hood over their head to “darken” the space if it is bright or busy. Perhaps hold them tightly. Perhaps don’t touch them, as this may exacerbate their overload.
Knowing your child and being able to identify what’s happening can really help you decide how you will handle it.
Always here to hold you, so you can hold your family 🌸
