Case Story: Meet Aarush, Age 6
Aarush’s mother often felt helpless.
“He cries over everything! If I say no to chocolate, if his socks feel uncomfortable, if I ask him to share with his sister—he breaks down completely.”
At school, things weren’t any easier. Aarush would cry if his turn was skipped, freeze when corrected by his teacher, or refuse to sit in class.
Family and friends kept saying:
- “You’re too soft.”
- “He’s spoiled.”
- “It’s just attention-seeking.”
But deep down, his mother knew—this wasn’t misbehavior. Aarush wasn’t thriving. He was struggling.
Expert Insight: Why Do Some Children Overreact?
Children like Aarush are not “spoiled.” They are emotionally sensitive and may lack the skills to manage frustration, disappointment, or sensory overload.
According to child psychology and neuroscience:
- The emotional brain (amygdala) in sensitive kids gets triggered quickly.
- Their thinking brain (prefrontal cortex), which helps regulate emotions, is still developing.
- What looks like “overreaction” is often a fight-or-flight response to everyday stress.
High sensitivity is not a weakness—it’s a different wiring of the nervous system.
Did You Know?
- 20% of children are highly sensitive and feel emotions more deeply (Dr. Elaine Aron).
- Kids who face repeated invalidation (“Stop crying!”) are more likely to develop anxiety, defiance, or low self-esteem (Harvard Child Study Centre).
- Research from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence shows that emotional coaching—not punishment—helps children build resilience, confidence, and success.
What Helped Aarush (and Can Help Your Child Too)
Here are practical steps parents can use at home and with professional support:
1. Emotion Labelling
Instead of “Don’t cry!”, Aarush’s mom began saying: “You’re sad because it didn’t go your way.”
This helped him feel understood and slowly learn to name his own emotions.
2. Recognizing Body Cues
He started identifying signs like clenched fists or teary eyes—his “anger volcano”—and practiced calming tools like deep breathing or squeezing a cushion.
3. Daily Connection Time
A simple 10-minute routine of play, hugs, or calm talk built emotional safety and reduced meltdowns.
4. School Support
Teachers provided a quiet space when he was overwhelmed and praised problem-solving rather than only punishing his behavior.
5. Parent Coaching
With therapist support, Aarush’s mother learned to manage her own stress responses—staying calm and consistent during his meltdowns.
The Transformation
Today, Aarush still gets upset sometimes—but he has fewer meltdowns, talks more openly, and manages frustration better.
His parents share:
“We understand him now. We feel confident—not helpless.”
Final Thought for Parents
Children who “overreact” are not broken.
They are little ones carrying big emotions in small bodies. What they need is guidance, patience, and emotional coaching—not criticism.
Helping your child regulate emotions today builds the foundation for confidence, resilience, and healthy relationships tomorrow.
Need Support With Your Child’s Behaviour?
At Urjasvini Child Development Center, Indore, we help children with:
– Emotional regulation challenges
– Behavioural difficulties
– ADHD, Autism & learning concerns
– Parent counselling and coaching
📞 Call Dr. Vini Jhariya at 7999215093 | 9893371516
📍 Urjasvini Child Development Center, Indore
🔗 Follow us on Instagram for expert tips and parent reflections