Anyone have tips when your toddler gets the zoomies??
Lately my son has been having several bouts of what I assume is overstimulation.. I usually see the first signs when he gets testy like responding to my requests with a raspberry. He's normally very sweet so the attitude gets me a bit. We usually can get through me correcting him (as long as I dont react strongly because he really struggles to handle any shame) but he starts to just get more and more excitable and just wants to play like crazy. I try to let him get some of his energy out and I'll encourage pushing heavy things and jumping but he still gets so "buzzy" that its like he cant even hear me or control himself. So when im telling him he cant throw something or to calm his body he either doesnt react at all or runs away giggling. It often still results in a meltdown when I have to intercept or we have to transition like leaving or going to bed. Ive gotten feedback from daycare now that its been happening there. He's always been one of the more well-behaved kids at school so his teacher has said "this isnt him"...but im not sure where this extra buzzy energy is coming from or how to help him.
I try talking to him outside of those moments about things to do to control his body when he does feel that way, I've just started doing "if you can hear me clap twice" to try to pull his attention back, and sometimes I get him to do "stretches" with me that include slower movements and big breaths at the end and I think they kindof help.. but looking for any other tips to help him recognize when hes getting all buzzy and taking back control of his body! Or even figure out why its happening in the first place if you've found ways to avoid it??
Posted Jan 30, 2026, 5:03 AM UTC