11 How To Respond To Your Child's Meltdown Behaviors

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Episode 10 discussed the importance of establishing safety and consistency, through the use of schedules and routines. When responding to behaviors, we want to continue to have compassion and stay consistent with how we respond to our child’s meltdowns. I want to remind you that all behaviors are a form of communication. Kids learn new behaviors from what they see and what has been modeled.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unfortunately, certain behaviors can be maladaptive and inappropriate so it’s on us to teach our children how to more effectively respond and communicate with others. </span></p> <p><strong>To address behaviors and meltdowns, you need to:</strong></p> <ol> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">determine the cause of the behavior</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">remain calm</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">teach new behavior responses</span></li> </ol> <p><strong>Determine Cause of Behavior</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the best ways to determine the cause of a behavior, is to ask your child with genuine curiosity.</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be aware of your tone and body language</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Use a tone is calm, slower, and safe. If your kids feel safe they are more likely to open up and communicate. </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are loud and frantic your child is going to respond more erratically.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By having control over our tone we are not only controlling the mood of the conversation and also modeling a positive behavioral response.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even if your child has limited communication skills, it's still important to remain calm when communicating with our children.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You also want to take the opportunity to ask your children about their behaviors because it makes them feel h