Dealing with Toddler Meltdowns

How many times have you witnessed a toddler screaming, kicking, rolling on the floor or crying hard in public? It’s a common sight with toddlers. These are called toddler meltdowns. Most often it is accompanied with the parents yelling back at their kids. It’s a disturbing sight, no doubt about that. But understand that meltdowns need not always culminate in parents’ yelling and toddler’s crying. 

How to deal with your toddler’s meltdowns and his temper tantrums? It will become easy for you to handle your toddler’s meltdown, if you just wait for the toddler to vent completely and cool down, before you pitch in to solve the issue at hand. This will make him more receptive to you. Read to understand why your toddler has a meltdown and some tips to comfort your child.

Tips on How to Deal with Toddler Meltdowns

• Remain calm:

   Remember you will do yourself and your child a world of good by just staying calm. If you react, it will only escalate the meltdown. If you are at home, just walk away from the room to compose yourself.

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  Identify the cause:

   Meltdowns often occur because the little kids are trying to express their needs or frustration. As they are not able to express them in words, they throw tantrums. Find out if the real cause behind a meltdown is hunger, exhaustion, stress or need for your attention. It may help you in soothing your child better and faster.

• Wait it Out:

   Wait for the meltdown to run its course before you start acting on it. If you are at home, better let the child cry it out. Once he is spent, he will be calm and more responsive to you. But in the case where you are out, take a call. If you feel embarrassed, remove your child and yourself from the situation.

• Avoid punishment:

   Don’t threaten your child with a ‘time out’ or punishment. That will only make matters worse. Your child needs you to understand him and his needs.

• Reach to him:

   If the child lets you take him in your arms, try to do so. Physical contact helps in resolving matters faster. Hold him in your arms and pat his back softly till all his anger is spent. However, if your child is kicking or hitting, avoid touching him. You can try talking in soothing tone instead.

• Give options:

   Most kids are confused about the real reason bothering them. So give your child options: Are you hungry, do you want to sleep, shall I hold you in my arms, etc. He will surely nod on the one he really wants.

Hope you found our tips on dealing with toddler meltdowns useful. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could curb the meltdowns before they begin. Yes, it’s possible. 

Tips on How to Prevent Toddler Meltdowns

• Understand your child’s needs:

   If you know that your child gets cranky or throws a tantrum when he is hungry, sleepy or over-stimulated, try to prevent the situation from arising. Take care of your child’s needs before he needs to show you through a meltdown.

• Listen to your child:

   Parents have a habit of down-talking to their child or not taking them seriously enough. When kids realize this, they sometimes throw tantrums. Listen to him attentively and make eye contact with him when he speaks.

• Avoid negative words:

   Frequent use of words like ‘no’, ‘don’t’ or ‘stop’ can restrict your child. Sometimes ‘no’ is necessary but assess the situation before you say it. Try to use it positively like, instead of saying an outright ‘no’ to your child’s demand for watching more TV, try saying ‘how about playing a game of peek-a-boo?’


• Give your child time:

   Asking your child to immediately stop what he is doing and to do what you want him to do, can impact your child negatively. Kids need time to transition from one thing to another. Give your child time so that he can mentally prepare himself to switch from one activity to another.

• Stick to the schedule:

   Kids are creatures of habit. If for any reason, their schedule of daily activities is disrupted, they can get upset which might result in a meltdown. Take care that your child’s schedule is well maintained. If you need to depart from the regular schedule, give him a rundown of what he could expect so that he is prepared for it.

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  Set the limits:

   Don’t indulge in regular shouting, yelling or doling out punishments to your child. It will make him more obstinate and less respectful towards you. Instead, talk to him in a stern voice or give him the eye. This will give him ample opportunity to realize that you are angry at him and chances are that he will stop being willful.

The earlier you curb your child’s temper tantrums, the earlier he’ll learn that throwing tantrums is not a good way of expressing himself. Sometimes the reason behind a meltdown can be genuine and out of control of you and your child. Understand this and allow him to let it all out.