Is this a tantrum or a sensory need?

Or both? Tantrums and the body go together more than you may think.

This week, I recorded a small clip about how tantrums and body based needs are connected. You can watch it for free here on Youtube, or I’ve linked it to the bottom of this post.

Photo by Andrey K on Unsplash

Basically, what I talk about in this clip is part of a much bigger discussion. But it’s worth considering the main point, and that is…what are we really seeing here?

It’s so helpful to take a step back and really reflect on what’s happening before a tantrum begins. Were there any signs your child was getting overwhelmed? If you're thinking about that time at Target when they wanted a toy and you said “no,” then it's a clear trigger (hopefully that one was obvious to you). The trigger was not getting what they wanted. But what about when the trigger isn’t so obvious—like when it's time to put on shoes, eat dinner, or when a meltdown seems to happen out of nowhere?

One important factor to consider is your child’s body-based needs. Think about their sensory experiences. What have they seen, tasted, smelled, touched, or heard right before the tantrum? Sometimes, an itchy tag, uncomfortable socks, or loud background noise can push a child to the edge without you realizing it. Maybe they’ve been overstimulated by visual clutter, strong smells, or textures. These sensory inputs can be overwhelming and easily lead to overwhelm which can easily lead to a tantrum.

Now, looking back, do you see any subtle signs that a tantrum was brewing? Paying attention to your child's sensory needs could be the missing piece to understanding those seemingly random outbursts.

(Side note: there are actually 8 senses, not just five—but more on that in another post!)

Here are some common things I hear about that get me considering body-based needs of children:

• Dislike of certain textures, temperatures, or appearances of food

• Strong preference for the type of clothing material that they wear

• Overwhelm at too many lights or sounds (think of tvs on, dogs barking, children screaming and you’ll get the sense).

If you’re starting to wonder…hmm…that might be a factor here, then…good job! You’ve unlocked a piece in understanding your child. The next steps would be to start keenly observing. Watching for patterns, noticing what happens first, or before. Take some notes. See if others also notice it (not uncommon to hear the preschool teacher say, ‘oh yeah they hate wet paint’ or ‘he always asks for sunglasses when we’re outside’). There’s more coming from Learn with Little House on how to support your child, but for now, building that understanding is an excellent first step.

Stay tuned and please join our email list if you have not already to get updates!

This blog was authored by Dr. Karalynn Royster and is protected by intellectual property and copyright laws. It is not to be reproduced, adapted, or changed with our permission from the writer. This blog may be cross posted to Little House Psychology’s other platforms including Learn with Little House. This blog also does not take the place of, nor is it intended to be mental health therapy and it’s recommendations are generalized and should be treated as such. For professional advice unique to your situation please visit a qualified healthcare professional. Any similarities to former or present clients or acquaintances are purely coincidentally, as no identifying information is included.