Course
Flipping the Script on Toddler- Adolescent Meltdowns
By Laura A. Riffel, Ph.D.
We will answer the questions:
- What is Emotional Intelligence?
- What is the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown?
- What should youth know about the three main parts of the brain
- What words should we be teaching youth for self-regulation?
We will cover:
- Revisions to the Environment (to set youth up for success)
- Replacing the Behavior (what to teach using coregulation strategies)
- Reframing our Response (feeding the replacement behavior and extinguishing the target behavior)
When a youth engages in meltdown behavior, adults will frequently tell them to “use their words.” Unfortunately, for most youth, the words have not been taught. We cannot give them the words to use when they are drunk on emotion. We must proactively teach those skills through coregulation strategies so the youth can access them when their amygdala is hijacked.
Adults will learn how to set up an amygdala recalibration station at home or school, model regulating behaviors, and share with youth what is happening in their brains. This comes with a link to printable breathing cards, coloring books for younger children, videos for preschool through age 18 youth, literacy choices that can be used to discuss emotions, and so much more.