One of the biggest challenges for many families is dealing with meltdown behavior. “What calming methods have you found successful?” is often a common question. Below are the top 10 ways we have learned to calm your child during a meltdown.
Top 10 ways to calm a child having a meltdown
1. First, prevention is the best policy. Learn to identify and avoid triggers.
2. Secondly, do your research — especially if triggers aren’t obvious – to determine what factors were in place that resulted in a meltdown: make a list of things going on before the behavior took a turn for the worse and see if you can find patterns.
3. Next, use deep pressure, including weighted blankets and massage, to ease your child into a calmer state.
4. Fourthly, create a diversion that will take your child’s attention elsewhere. This could be singing a song, taking a walk, making silly faces, or whatever usually makes your child laugh.
5. Additionally, keep yourself calm and seek a calm environment to encourage de-escalation.
6. Also, aromatherapy can be calming, especially lavender and chamomile oils.
7. Provide positive verbal reinforcements as your child shows signs of calming down.
8. A pop-up tent can ease your child through alone time. Place soothing objects inside, such as a bean bag, a soft blanket, a favorite book, etc.
9. A Gluten-Free diet over time may result in reducing meltdown tendencies.
10. Lastly, consider noise-canceling headphones to lessen noise, which can lead to sensory overload.
Finally, consult your doctor if your child’s behaviors are becoming an issue.
More articles on managing meltdown behaviors
Everything you need to know about meltdowns
Tuning out tantrums – the power of planned ignoring
