Four Ways To Avoid Child Meltdowns
by Aidan Povey | January 10, 2024 | 5 min read
You've seen kids display the most beautiful characteristics, the same ones you see in yourself. I'm also sure you've been in a crowded restaurant as a young child is having a full blown meltdown. As lovable as kids can be, they can be extremely emotionally volatile.
Here are some tips to help keep your children on the right track and avoid "meltdown" scenarios.
Be familiar with your child's triggers
Triggers are different in each child; hence, you need to be familiar with your child's. In some kids, pain and fear are the triggers, while some are triggered by emotional overload. You also need to know when those triggers happen. For instance, some kids could be anxious before or after school ends.
Some could be anxious before dinner or bedtime. Some places could also be the cause of the triggers. For instance, some kids get agitated in overly crowded places or noisy environments.
Know when it escalates
It's always easier to avoid a meltdown if you can identify the signs. Some common signs of a looming meltdown are:
-
Refusal to take directions or guidance: Some children do not want to listen to anything when the triggers escalate. Instead, they are focused on those triggers.
-
Asking the same questions continually: One sign of a looming meltdown is repeatedly asking the same question. These questions could be related to their triggers. If you are aware of the triggers, remove the child from the situation.
-
Running or hiding from noises and people: One way to know that your kid is about to have a meltdown is if they try to avoid noises and people.
-
Trouble with decision making: Another sign of a looming meltdown is difficulty thinking clearly and making decisions. This is a good time to step in and take action to avoid further problems.
-
Restlessness: Once you find your kid pacing around and fidgeting, you should suspect a looming meltdown. To avoid this meltdown, you will have to develop tactics that work for them to help them calm down. Breathing exercises have shown to be very effective.
Try distracting them from the triggers
You can also avoid meltdowns in your kids by distracting them from these triggers. You can do this by giving them a task that they enjoy. This can shift their attention from these triggers.
Be patient
The need for patience when dealing with a child's meltdown cannot be overemphasized. When your kid's triggers escalate, shouting and talking fast is not the solution. You need to give your child space and time to understand what you're saying.
Although it can be tiring to prevent a meltdown in kids, it is achievable. You only need to be optimistic and as patient as possible.
