05/12/2025
Week 3 Little Mind Masters Weekly Wellbeing: Why Behaviour Is Communication
If only children came with a little sign above their heads saying what they really needed…
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I’m scared.”
“I don’t know how to say what I feel.”
But they don’t, so, they communicate through something far more honest:
their behaviour.
Behaviour is the language children speak before their words catch up.
Children rarely have the vocab, emotional awareness or confidence to explain what’s going on inside them. So, their behaviour becomes the message.
Often, the louder the behaviour, the louder the message underneath.
Here’s what behaviour might be saying:
• “I’m not ignoring you… I’m overwhelmed.”
• “I’m not being rude… I don’t know how to express this feeling.”
• “I’m not being silly… I’m anxious.”
• “I’m not being naughty… I feel out of control inside.”
• “I’m not daydreaming… my brain needs a break.”
Once we shift from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What are you trying to tell me?”, everything changes.
Here are some common examples parents see every day:
1. Shutting down or going quiet
Often means: “This is too much for me.”
Children withdraw when they feel unsure, scared or overstimulated.
2. Anger, shouting or defiance
Often means: “I don’t feel safe or understood.”
Anger is nearly always a protective emotion hiding something softer.
3. Clinginess or needing you constantly
Often means: “I need connection & reassurance.”
4. Silliness, hyperactivity, or “winding up”
Often means: “I have too much energy or emotion inside & don’t know what to do with it.”
5. Not listening or refusing tasks
Often means: “My brain is overloaded, tired, or anxious.”
Your child isn’t giving you a hard time, THEY’RE having a hard time
When we respond with curiosity rather than frustration, our children feel:
• safer
• calmer
• seen
• connected
• understood
When children feel understood, their behaviour softens almost instantly.
Give this simple phrase a go:
Next time a behaviour pops up, pause & gently ask:
“What’s this behaviour telling me?”
This small shift transforms your response from reactive to supportive & teaches your child that their feelings matter, even when they show up in messy ways.
You’re not alone. Understanding behaviour takes patience & practice. You’re doing an amazing job simply by wanting to learn more.
If your child struggles with big feelings, tricky behaviour or emotional overwhelm, my Little Mind Masters sessions help them build the tools, confidence & calm they need to navigate life with more ease.
Here’s to understanding our little people a little more each week.
Les x