Delta-Schoolcraft Great Start Collaborative

The holiday season is the perfect storm for meltdowns and tantrums. This can be SO frustrating for parents when they are simply trying to create happy memories for their children,
WHY???

(1) A child’s brain is more easily overwhelmed by sensory input (due to an underdeveloped hippocamus and thalmus)

(2) They lack the emotional awareness adults do. Children who can’t identify their emotions or their needs may get easily overwhelmed.

(3) No coping skills: It’s hard to manage your emotions if you don’t have the skills.These take time to learn and master

(4) Unrealistic expectations: there may be pressure to get dressed up, take perfect family pictures, and be in a good mood for meals and events when that may not be how they are feeling inside