Tips on calming child down having a meltdown?

[AngP2585]

Hoping you can help?
My son is 3 1/2 he has complete meltdowns with no triggers he completely losses it, throwing things around the room. Biting and grabbing faces of the first person he sees. I can't see to calm him down, if I try holding him tight he tries to bite and hit. He just goes wild.

Get him to a safe place, if you can, removing anything that can cause any damage to things or people and guard him there. Use as few words as possible. I used to chuck DS1 a big quilted throw, which he'd bury himself in. He's 10, now and still surrounds himself with snuggly things, as he comes down off one.

Agree with ouryve. Trying to talk to my 7 yo ds when he's already in meltdown makes him even more hysterical, as does going anywhere near him or even looking at him.

I stay at a slight distance if possible (will only move or restrain him if absolutely necessary to keep him or others safe) and let him see it out, basically.

If you keep a note or diary of the circumstances you might start to see patterns or triggers that you hadn't realised were there.

Triggers can be such unexpected things. We have DS1 out of school for a few days because he's been having a difficult time there, with lots of meltdowns. He's been very calm and compliant, in a way I haven't seen all month. Until we set off to collect DS2 and had icy wind blowing in our face. Suddenly, he was rigid about having to walk on the far left of the pavement and argumentative when I told him it wasn't a good idea because that entire edge of the pavement was covered with dog dirt. No one not in the know would link his sharp change in mood to the sensation of a cold wind.

I know people who have had success with a dark tent to be used as a calming space.

I have used firm hugs with Dd3 with good results but you do have to be mindful of your own safety.

Definetly dont try to engage him in conversation or reason with him if he has got to meltdown point then he is not in control and wont be able to respond rationally.

good luck

I usually just put ds in his bedroom and let him get it out of his system, he's getting older and bigger now so won't be able to physically do that soon. Like the idea of a tent or camp though