Q: My six-year-old son goes through a meltdown even on simple requests like “Get your socks” or “Tidy up your room.” I don’t know what to do.

How are you approaching your son when you want him to do these tasks? asked the Family Project panel.

“If you approach him and ask him all of a sudden, when he is actively involved in something else, it may be that he has trouble making transitions,” said panel member Denise Continenza.

“Give him some time to switch gears and finish what he is doing,” Continenza said.

“Are these requests presented as demands? If you present it as a demand, the child’s cortisol levels [stress hormones] will kick in,” said panel member Mike Daniels.

“Make sure you are keeping yourself calm and not escalating the situation. Don’t let yourself react in frustration,” Daniels said.

“For a six-year-old, a task that seems easy to adults, can seem overwhelming. Break it down into steps. Give him options such as ‘Make your bed’ or ‘Pick up your clothes’ to make it more manageable for him,” said panel member Chad Stefanyak.

When things are calm, teach him breathing exercises so he has a strategy to calm himself when he’s having a meltdown, panel members said.

“He is in the magic years, so tap into his imagination. During a moment when he is not upset, have him close his eyes and pretend he is a 747 airplane. Have him breathe in for seven seconds; hold it for four seconds and breath out for seven seconds. Have him visualize himself as an airplane flying. It makes it a multisensory game so he can focus on his body and breathing,” said Daniels.

Daniels also suggested he put Cheerios cereal in his mouth but tell him he can’t chew them. He will develop mindfulness as he feels the cereal slowly dissolve in his mouth.

“If you practice these techniques two or three times a day consistently, his body will become less stressed,” Daniels said.

“It is inevitable that you will have to ask him to do something at the last minute that might upset him,” Continenza said.

“Tell him, ‘I know this might make you unhappy but ... ’ That gives him permission to get upset. Just be patient,” Continenza said.

This week’s panel: Pam Wallace, program coordinator, Project Child, a program of Valley Youth House; Denise Continenza, extension educator; Chad Stefanyak, school counselor, and Mike Daniels, LCSW, Psychotherapist.

Have a question? Email: projectchild@projectchildlv.org

The Family Project is a collaboration of the Lehigh Valley Press Focus section and Valley Youth House’s Project Child.

The Times News, Inc., and affiliates (Lehigh Valley Press) do not endorse or recommend any medical products, processes, or services or provide medical advice. The views of the columnist and column do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lehigh Valley Press. The article content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified health-care provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.