4 Strategies to Prevent Summer Meltdowns in Sensory Kids
Managing toddler meltdowns is no easy feat, especially for parents of sensory-seeking, sensory-avoiding, or neurodivergent toddlers. They require some extra proactive steps, especially in the summer when school, therapy, or daycare are on pause, your family goes on vacation, or they are otherwise taken out of their normal routine. Oh, and hot weather? Just add that uncomfortable feeling on top of everything else! Looking for ways to proactively prevent summer meltdowns in your sensory kid? This blog breaks down our four favorite strategies, including creating a mini-calendar, providing an "escape", going beyond to keep cool, and keeping bubbles on hand!
Create a Visual Mini-Calendar or Schedule
Toddlers thrive on routine and knowing what is next. It helps keep tantrums at bay, anxiety at ease, and gives them a sense of control in their environment. Autistic toddlers even more so thrive on knowing "What's next?"
If your family is going on vacation and is worried that the sudden change in schedule will throw your toddler for a whole entire loop, creating a simple 3-step visual board using photos of the actual items (e.g., First: Breakfast Then: Beach Time Last: iPad) drastically reduces transition anxiety.
Start the day off by explaining what will happen, talk through it, and then recap at the end of the day. If you see your toddler start to have a tantrum or meltdown, provide them with some much-needed comfort and try again later.
Provide an "Escape"
Summer provides kids with a ton of opportunities to play outside. Warm weather brings fun BBQs, beach days, pool time, water play, mud stations, and so much more. However, new textures, environments, and temperatures can be a trigger for a sensory kid meltdown.
A great way to keep your toddler at ease during these activities is to provide an "escape" from high-sensory activities.
Examples of "escapes" can include:
- Head inside or pre-arrange for a private "safe space" with the host if the smells and crowds at a family party or BBQ are too much for your toddler and they need a break.
- Keep a dry towel, baby wipes, and/or a bowl of clean water nearby during mud play, sand play, or at the beach so you don't waste any precious time trying to find a sink.
- Keep noise-canceling headphones on hand for loud days. This can include beach days, parties, outdoor events, airplanes, and more. For more sensory tool ideas, read The Best Fidget Toys for the Classroom.
Go Beyond to Keep Cool
A quick way to get any person in a bad mood is hot temperatures! This is true for adults, kids, toddlers, sensory kids, and everyone in between. Nobody likes being hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable, especially sensory kids and toddlers.
Make sure you go above and beyond to keep your sensory kid cool by bringing personal fans, cooling packs, ice-cold water, popsicles, and more. Even if they don't look hot or sweaty yet, make sure they use these items before they do.
Keep Bubbles On Hand
Bubbles aren't just a fun and mesmerizing activity beloved by all toddlers. Did you know that bubbles also have a calming effect and can reduce stress and anxiety?
It's true: Bubbles provide a point of focus and can help to cultivate mindfulness. Blowing bubbles can have a calming impact on the nervous system, and watching bubbles can also be calming. Blowing bubbles can help to manage anxiety. Exhaling slowly is calming, and blowing bubbles is a way to slow down and lengthen the outbreath. Controlling our breath helps us regulate our nervous system and our emotions and can relieve stress and tension. When we blow into the bubble wand and watch bubbles coming out, we also learn first-hand about cause and effect, and crucially have a feeling of success and achievement. (Source: NAC Wellbeing)
If your toddler frequently experiences meltdowns, have a bubble wand and solution on hand! You might also want to explore our guide on the best sensory toys for sensory kids for more calming tool ideas.
Our Spike Bubble Wand Set is easy to pack up, fits easily in any bag, stroller, or car, and is even indoor-friendly! Your toddler will love how easy it is to dip, twirl, and blow their own bubbles so much that they will forget all about their worries.