6 year old having huge meltdowns!, help!

[Snowwhite83]

Hi
I have a six yead old daughter who most of the time is delightful. She is very caring towards others, makes friends easily and behaves v well at school.
She used to have a two or three upsets a week but would calm down quite quickly.
Now this has progressed to hysterical meltdowns crying around two or three times a day.
Yesterday for example after going to the oark she wanted to put a plaster on a scratch her brother had but she had managed to get bird poo on her hands so I said she had to wash them first so they were clean. Cue shouting hysterical crying for 5 minutes and slamming doors.
I know reasoning with her doesn't work while shes overwhelmed so I address calmy and give her a hug. Once she's calmed down I will talk to her about why her behaviour is unacceptable (slamming doors can hurt people) and consequences like reduced IPAD time or no dessert.
She seems so emotionally disregulated. I'm not sure what to do?
I'm also struggling to identify triggers? We haven't had any changes in lifestyle and there are no problems with school or friendships that I am aware of.
Any advice very much appreciated!

Just checking - is there a new baby on the scene by chance? Or else, she’s settling into a new school year presumably, could it be something about a new teacher, new classmates? Any new classes or anything causing her overwhelm?

Is her brother having more tantrums lately? In my experience older siblings sometimes copy the behaviour of younger if it seems to get them attention.

Also I feel like I've read that unrelated consequences (like reduced iPad for slamming a door) aren't really effective in the long term for behavioural issues. I can imagine that might make her resentful rather than remorseful. Perhaps something like fabric on the door so it can't be slammed would be more aligned with sorting the issue logically and without breeding resentment.

Hi All,

Thanks so much for your responses. No big changes includinh new babys. New teacher in September so will talk to her a bit more about this.
I think putting fabric on the door is a good idea (I may sling a dressing gown over the top). Xx

I'd go back to basics and think growth spurt, hungry, overtired. I remember my 6yo did this after summer as her bedtime had crept. Only 20 mins but it was enough to make her tired the next day.