Emotions and Behaviour

Children express their emotions, needs, wants and desires from birth. This can sometimes be shown by displaying different behaviours. Noticing, responding to and managing this can sometimes be tricky as a parent. Tuning into these emotions and behaviours can support children in recognising different feelings and further develop your relationship.

👉 Click below to find out more:

👉 Click here for more information about how your child will develop behaviours, emotions and attitudes throughout the Early Years.

👉 Click here for activities which you could explore with your child to develop relationships to further support children’s emotions

👉 Click here to find out more about responding to the range of emotions your child may display.

👉 Click here to find out more about how your child may transfer their emotions into their behaviours and strategies to respond to this and support your child.

👉 Click here to find out strategies to support your child’s behaviour and also how to access further support if needed.

What to do when the usual approaches don’t seem to be working

Every child is different – so if the usual approaches don’t seem to be working here are some more things to consider.

Physical Health

Why this matters

Children may show big behaviours when their body does not feel right. Many children struggle to tell us when they feel poorly, hungry, tired, or uncomfortable.

Top Tips

  • Check basic needs first: Are they hungry? Thirsty? Tired? Over‑hot or cold?
  • Support good sleep routines: many young children need 10–13 hours each night.
  • Look out for constipation: hard stools, belly aches, or fear of using the toilet are signs
  • Offer regular snacks with foods that give energy (for example, fruit, toast, cereal, yoghurts)
  • Consider pain or illness: earache, tummy ache, teething, infection.
  • Seek GP support for constipation, infections, pain or if behaviour changes suddenly.

Keeping communication simple

Why this matters

This can be particularly important for children who are not yet talking or tuning in to what people are saying. Frustration and misunderstanding can easily cause upset.

Top Tips

  • Use clear language: short sentences like “Coat on please”.
  • Show instead of tell: use pictures, gestures, objects to show them what you mean (you could show them their coat so they know it’s time to go).
  • Give extra time for your child to take in what you are saying: count silently to 10 after giving an instruction.
  • Avoid questions – questions can feel like demands.
  • Try to give instructions in a fun way: you could say ‘Hurray – tea’s ready – yum!’ rather than ‘Sit down now’.
  • Accept all kinds of communication from your child to reduce their frustration – gestures, pointing, showing, making sounds.

Sensory Triggers

Why this matters

Some children are particularly sensitive to the world around them. Noise, lights, smells, textures, crowds, and movement can quickly feel overwhelming and cause them to feel irritable or upset.

Other children need to have lots of stimulation and activity to feel good.

Top tips

If your child is sensitive to their environment …..

  • Watch for sensory clues that suggest they have had enough: covering ears, avoiding bright rooms, needing to move, or becoming still and shut down.
  • Create calming spaces at home such as a cosy corner with soft lighting.
  • Reduce sensory overload: turn off bright lights, lower noise, avoid busy shops when possible, try noise cancelling headphones for noisy places.
  • Build breaks in calm places into their day before they become overwhelmed

If your child needs lots of stimulation

  • Use outdoor time: walks, parks, nature play.
  • Give movement breaks: jumping, running, climbing, pushing heavy items.
  • Use sensory tools: fidget toys, chewy items, weighted blankets (if safe).

For more information on sensory needs click here Rotherham

Avoiding surprises

Why this matters

Some children find changes or surprises particularly difficult and quickly feel worried or overwhelmed. Making sure they know what’s coming helps them to cope.

Top Tips

  • Use pictures as a visual timetable to show what will happen today (e.g., pictures for breakfast, school, park). Visuals help children understand what to expect.
  • Give a warning before changes, for example “In two minutes, we will tidy up”.
  • Keep routines the same when possible, as routines help children feel safe.
  • Offer choices such as, “Do you want this cup or that cup?” This helps children feel in control.

Dealing with a crisis

Whatever you do, there are bound to be times when your child gets upset and has a meltdown.

As a parent/carer, this can be challenging to deal with. It’s easy to find it upsetting, frustrating or embarrassing – but here are some tips for coping ‘in the moment’.

Top tips

  • Focus on keeping your child safe until their upset has passed.
  • If the environment is stressful, it’s helpful to move to somewhere quieter and calmer if you can (or reduce noise and activity around your child)
  • Try to stay calm yourself. This helps your child and makes it easier to deal with the situation.
  • If you are with another adult who knows your child, work as a team (so you are supporting each other)
  • Keep communication with your child super simple and stick to what’s really necessary in the moment (reassurance or keeping them safe), such as single words or even just a gesture.