Why Do Kids React the Way They Do?

Let’s be honest—parenting has it’s challenges. You want to bring more calm to your home but sometimes it feels like everything is moving so fast and there just isn’t time for everything! Sound familiar?

Our kids are right there with us in this fast-paced world, feeling all the big feelings without the tools to handle them yet (let’s be real, some of us adults are still learning and implementing these tools). Sometimes those feelings look like tantrums, meltdowns, shutting down, or trying to people-please their way through the day. It’s not misbehaviour—it’s their nervous system reacting to stress.

The good news? Yoga and mindfulness can help. These tools are here to make life a little calmer, a little more connected, and a whole lot more manageable for both you and your child.

Let’s break it down into simple, practical steps:

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1. Why Do Kids React the Way They Do?

When kids are overwhelmed, their nervous system goes into overdrive. You might see it as:

• Fight: Big tantrums, hitting, shouting, throwing things, slamming doors. They feel things deeply and sometimes it all seems to explode out.
• Flight: Running away or avoiding situations. This could be not wanting to go somewhere they usually would no problem, or escaping to their room.
• Freeze: Shutting down, zoning out, or going quiet. They may appear to be going at a snails pace, maybe just sat there when you’re telling them to put their shoes on.
• Fawn: Trying to please everyone to make the stress go away. They may even try to get everything ‘perfect’ and find it frustrating when it doesn’t go to plan. They may be a worrier and just want to make sure everyone is happy. They may need a lot of reassurance.

When you start seeing these behaviours as stress responses, not “bad” behaviour, it changes everything. I have children children who are sensory sensitive and feel things so deeply. When they are in their stress response in can feel really intense. Instead of reacting, I try to pause and ask: What’s really going on here?

🧡 Try this: Next time your child is melting down or having a tantrum (You can read more about the difference between those two here), take a deep breath (yes, even when it’s hard) and get curious. Your calm presence can be the anchor they need.

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2. How Yoga Helps Regulate the Nervous System

Yoga is more than just poses. It’s a way to connect the body, mind, and breath—exactly what an overwhelmed nervous system needs.

💡 Why it works: Deep breathing and gentle movement send signals to the brain that it’s safe to relax. Even in a challenging pose that is putting healthy stress on the body, we are using our breath to signal that we are safe – this is how we build resilience. For kids, this doesn’t just help them calm down; it also teaches them how to tune in, notice how they feel, it helps them to handle big feelings and bounce back from tough moments.

🧘 Try this: Try practice a pose that challenges you together. I’m not talking arm balances and head stands – more something like chair pose or a warrior two pose. It’s a pose that may feel easy enough at first but holding it can be a challenge. Can you breathe through that challenge? Reminding your body (and mind) that it is safe. You can make this more fun with your child by seeing if they can balance a toy on their head on or on their knee. Can they hold it for 5 slow intentional breaths? What about 10? So we don’t want to hold the pose if it is causing us pain, but a little discomfort is okay. We have to be able to know the difference – this helps us to know what is safe and what is not.

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3. Breathing: Your Superpower

Breathwork can be simple and playful, and it can be one of the quickest ways to support our nervous system and big emotions. You see, our emotions are tied to our breath. By teaching your child how to leverage their breath, you can help them develop a lifelong skill that promotes emotional well-being and resilience. A skill that can be practiced any time and any where.

🌟 Bunny Breaths: Sniff in three short breaths through the nose, like a bunny, then exhale fully.
🌟 Bubble Breaths: Pretend to blow a giant bubble—inhale deeply, then blow out slowly.

These exercises can instantly flip the switch from stress to calm for both you and your child.

Check out my ultimate masterclass about the breath here. Perfect for parents, teachers and caregivers who are passionate about empowering the children in their life with important skills they can use for a lifetime.

Anxiety and the Breath – Help your child manage their emotions effectively through the power of breath.

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4. Movement to Release Big Energy

Sometimes kids just need to move. Yoga poses like Star Pose, Downward Dog, or a few sun salutations give children a safe outlet to burn off steam. And sometimes we just need a little dance party! The important part is getting moving in a fun and mindful way – together.

If your child is stuck in “freeze” mode, gentle squeezes on their arms or legs, or swaying together to calming music, can help them feel grounded again.

🧡 Idea: Create a “calm corner” with a cosey blankets, calm posters, and soft music. It can be your family’s safe space when things get overwhelming. Download your Calm Corner Poster Kit here.

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5. Start Small: One Practice at a Time

You don’t need to overhaul your life to see results. Pick one thing—a breath, a pose, or even just a moment to pause together—and build from there. You may start adding legs up the wall at bedtime, a few breaths in the morning, a mindful break in the afternoon…. The important thing is just getting started.

🛑 Important: This isn’t about being perfect or a yoga master. It’s about showing up, even when life is messy and chaotic.

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6. It All Starts With You

Here’s the truth: when you take care of your nervous system, you’re also helping your child regulate theirs. So take that deep breath, roll out a yoga mat (or just plop down on the floor), and give yourself permission to slow down.

Remember, it’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing something.

If you would like support with managing your own stress and supporting your wellbeing, you can book a one to one coaching session with me where we will use tapping to:

🔥 Release the stress that’s been building up and weighing you down.
🔥 Move through emotional blocks so you can feel more grounded.
🔥 Shift your energy into a calmer, more confident version of YOU.

Because the truth is: When you’re calm, everything shifts.

When your energy is regulated, it shows in how you show up.
When you feel grounded, your kids feel it too.
And when your kids feel calm, everyone wins.

Book in with me for this month.

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Ready to Start?

Family Yoga isn’t about perfect quiet and forced calm —it’s about connection, exploration and support. One breath, one moment, one practice at a time. You’ve got this.

Want more ideas for bringing yoga and calm into your family’s life? Check out the Calm and Connect Series – 7 days of guided family yoga practices. One week to Reset and Recharge with playful and effective practices that are 15 minutes or less! Sign up here and start today!

You’ve got this! I hope this blog post helped you to reframe your child’s behaviour and gave you some ideas on how to support them – and yourself. Thanks for reading and if you have any questions at all, comment below and I’d be happy to help you.

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