Free Webinar: Big Feelings, Little People: How to Turn Meltdowns into Moments of Connection
How can parents and teachers respond to a child’s meltdown without making the situation worse?
Every parent knows the moment: a small disappointment turns into tears, shouting or a child collapsed on the floor, and everyone around seems to be watching. In those moments, it is natural to want the behaviour to stop as quickly as possible. Yet meltdowns are rarely about “bad behaviour.” More often, they are a young child’s way of telling us that their feelings have become bigger than the skills they have to manage them.
For our 101st Community Live Webinar, The Developing Child Centre is delighted to welcome Educational Psychologist Dr. Kayleigh Sumner to explore how adults can respond to these moments with calm, confidence and empathy. Drawing on the science of child development and the evidence-informed approach of emotion coaching, Dr. Kayleigh will explain what is really happening inside a child during a meltdown, and how the way we respond can help children feel safe, understood and better able to cope next time.
This session is not about achieving perfect calm or never having a difficult day. It is about practical, realistic steps that parents, caregivers and educators can use at home, in the classroom or out in the community, so that hard moments can gradually become opportunities for connection and learning.
The webinar is free and open to parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, learning support assistants, SEN professionals and advocates worldwide.
Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
Understand what happens during a meltdown. Learn what is taking place in a young child’s brain and body when emotions become overwhelming, and why big feelings are a normal, healthy part of development.
Respond with emotion coaching. Use the two steps of emotion coaching to stay calm and connect with a child in the moment, rather than dismissing or punishing the feeling.
Build emotional skills over time. Apply simple, practical phrases and strategies at home that help children name, understand and manage their emotions, building resilience for the long term.
The session will close with a live Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to put their own questions to Dr. Kayleigh.
About the Speaker
Dr. Kayleigh Sumner is an Educational Psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with children and young people in the UK and UAE. She holds a Doctorate in Applied Educational Psychology and specialises in positive psychology and wellbeing, with a strong focus on children’s social, emotional, and academic development.
An international keynote speaker, Dr. Kayleigh has presented in the UK, Dubai, France, Miami, and Bahrain. She works closely with schools to implement mental health awareness programmes and also leads community workshops that support children, families, and educators. Passionate about nurturing emotional intelligence and resilience, she is committed to helping children feel supported, understood, and prepared for lifelong success.
Register now!
