Kids Clinic: Handling school meltdowns
Summary
Dr. Elaine McCarty, a senior child and educational psychologist, explains "post-school restraint collapse," where children release accumulated stress upon returning home. She advises parents to reduce verbal demands, meet physiological needs, and maintain their own calm to prevent emotional escalation. By observing behavioral patterns and creating a safe, low-pressure environment, caregivers can help children regulate their nervous systems while distinguishing typical stress from underlying issues like bullying.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Government of Ireland 'Build the Home' campaign
Defining post-school restraint collapse
Why parents should avoid interrogating children
The 'shaken Coke' analogy and school demands
The importance of parental co-regulation and calm
Meeting physiological needs and reducing verbal demands
Regulation strategies: quiet time, movement, and water play
Identifying fundamental issues like bullying
Detecting patterns and liaising with the school
Creating a safe harbour and closing remarks
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