De-Escalation Support
Lesson 1 of 5
What to say during meltdowns
Fewer words. Slower body. Warmer voice.
When your child is mid-meltdown, less is more. The thinking brain is offline — long sentences don't land.
Try:
- 'I'm right here.'
- 'You're safe.'
- 'I can see this is really big.'
- 'You don't have to talk. I'll wait.'
Avoid: 'calm down,' 'use your words,' 'stop crying,' lectures, threats. They escalate.
I Do / We Do / You Do
I do
I'll pick ONE phrase from above and practice saying it slowly, out loud, today.
We do
Next meltdown, I'll use my one phrase — and only that phrase — for the first minute.
You do
Write your phrase somewhere you'll see it (phone lock screen, fridge).
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