Mirror

When Tyler begins a meltdown I have recently been asking him to look me in the eye so we can focus and discuss things out. When he won't look at me, I gently put my hands on his face and move it towards mine so we can be eye to eye. At the same time, we are also teaching him to say "Excuse me" when adults are talking and he wants to interrupt.

The other day I was holding him and talking to Nan when he begins saying "excuse me" and when he didn't get my attention he put his hands on my neck and gently pulled me towards his face. Nan pointed out that he was doing the same thing to me that I do to him when he begins his meltdown. I about fell on the floor laughing. He had been doing that for a week or so and I had no idea where it came from until she recognized that he was mirroring my actions to him. Amazing what kids pick up and how hard it can be for us to see our own actions.