Tantrums are a normal part of childhood, but that doesn’t make them any easier to navigate. In this episode, we revisit a valuable episode “from the vault,” in which Deb sits down with Dr. Cindy Hovington to explore the science behind tantrums and emotional regulation. Together, they unpack what’s actually happening in a child’s brain during a meltdown and why understanding brain development can help parents respond with more confidence and compassion.
Dr. Hovington explains how self-regulation develops over time, why transitions can be especially challenging for young children, and the important role parents play in helping kids build emotional regulation skills. She also shares practical strategies for staying calm during difficult moments, making sense of what triggered a tantrum, and recognizing when a child’s behavior may warrant additional support. This conversation offers science-backed insights that can help parents approach big emotions with greater understandingand a little less stress.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What happens in a child’s brain during a tantrum
- The science behind self-regulation and emotional development
- Age-appropriate expectations for young children
- Why some transitions are more challenging than others
- How parents can support emotional regulation
- Strategies for staying calm during a tantrum
- Helping children recover after big emotions
- When tantrums may be a sign that additional support is needed
**Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com
About Dr. Cindy:
Dr. Cindy Hovington, Ph.D., is a mom of three and the founder of Curious Neuron, a science-backed parenting resource dedicated to making child development research accessible and practical for families. Her mission is to help parents make informed decisions by translating the latest research into actionable, easy-to-understand guidance that supports children’s emotional well-being and development.
Connect with Dr. Cindy:
- www.curiousneuron.com
- Instagram: @curiousneuronparenting @drcindyhovington
- Reflective Parenting Podcast
Check out similar Yoga| Birth| Babies episodes:
- Navigating Toddler Tantrums and Meltdowns with Big Little Feelings Co-Founders Deena Margolin and Kristin Gallant
- Why Children Whine and What to Do About It with Dr. Laura Markham [REVISIT]
- Why We Need to Stop Labeling the “Difficult” Child with Nina Essel, LCSW
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center
