
That’s how a meltdown based on sensory overload works. But sometimes the water flow is too strong and the pitcher overflows before you can turn the water off. Most of the time, you can control the flow of water and fill the pitcher a little at a time. Here’s one way to think about too much sensory input. Too much sensory input can be overwhelming-not just for kids, but for adults, too. A back-to-school shopping trip could cause a tantrum that triggers a meltdown.Ī meltdown is a reaction to trying to process too much sensory input all at once. For other kids, it can be a reaction to having too many things to think about. The commotion of an amusement park might set them off, for instance. You might hear this called sensory overload. Kids may become upset by certain sounds, sights, tastes, and textures.

For some kids, it happens when they’re getting too much sensory input-that’s information coming in from their senses. Once kids have more language to express themselves, tantrums tend to subside a little.Ī Meltdown is very different from a tantrum. Temper tantrums are pretty typical for toddlers and preschoolers. A tantrum is an outburst that happens when kids are trying to get something they want or need. They often occur in response to unmet needs or desires. Tantrums are more likely to occur in younger children or others who cannot express their needs or control their emotions when they are frustrated. Tantrums are unpleasant and disruptive behaviors or emotional outbursts.
