Building Storm Skills

Each recovered tantrum is a building block for future self-regulation — but only if you handle the aftermath with intention. Once your child is fully calm, try a gentle debrief:

• "What did that big feeling feel like in your body?"
• "What helped you calm down?"
• "Next time, what could we try?"

Let them lead. Their insights might surprise you: a five-year-old who says "I needed you to stop talking" is showing real self-awareness. Later, during a peaceful moment, build a calm toolkit together — draw strategies that help, like deep breaths, squeezing a stuffed animal, or asking for a hug, and hang it where they can see it.