Northern Rivers Key Worker Services

14/11/2025

14/11/2025

Supporting a child through a meltdown is not just about what we say or do.
It’s also about what is happening inside us.

Our nervous system responds to their overwhelm.
Their panic can trigger our panic.
Their intensity can activate our urgency.
Their distress can stir our own history of not feeling safe.

So before we can co-regulate a young person, we often need to regulate ourselves.
Not perfectly — just enough to stay steady.

This post shares supportive ways to stay regulated as the adult, so that we can be the grounding presence a child’s nervous system is reaching for in the storm.

Because when we are calm, predictable, and connected — the child feels safe enough to return to calm too.

If you’d like a deeper breakdown of every phase of the meltdown cycle — and how to respond at each stage without shame, fear, or urgency — you’ll find the full Timeline of a Meltdown resource via link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

Save this post to return to when you need it

14/11/2025

14/11/2025

Chores are a good way to work on executive functioning skills https://www.theottoolbox.com/chores-and-executive-functioning-skills/

14/11/2025

BENEFITS OF RECESS AS A REGULATION TOOL FOR KIDS

Kids need recess as a regulation tool to help them sit still during class and to attend and focus for longer periods of time. Here's why...

14/11/2025

11/11/2025

26/10/2025

10/10/2025

Breaking news - National Best Practice for Early Childhood Intervention launched!

You can download the Framework and all the accompanying resources in two places - on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website as well our Healthy Trajectories ECI Framework project site.
The Australian Government's Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing website https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-best-practice-framework-for-early-childhood-intervention

The Healthy Trajectories Child and Youth Disability Research Hub website https://healthy-trajectories.com.au/eci-framework/

Early experiences shape a child’s future health and wellbeing. This is especially true for children with delays or disabilities. Helping them early with quality, tailored support gives them the best chance to thrive. Our new national best practice framework shows what good support looks like.