Paeds Cases · growth-development-and-behaviour
Toddler meltdowns and school-readiness worry — development OSCE
OSCE on counselling normal cognitive-emotional development, temperament and escalation.
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Study tools
Target exams
MRCPCH ClinicalRACP DCE
Prompt
Caregiver of a 2.5-year-old with daily meltdowns and questions about whether the child is “behind emotionally” for preschool.
Objectives
- Explain age-expected toddler emotional behaviour in plain language. [3] [4]
- Distinguish temperament/normal variation from red flags. [2] [9]
- Offer co-regulation and media/play guidance. [4] [10]
- Safety-net and describe when screening/referral is needed. [7] [12]
References12ShowHide
- [1]Zubler JM Evidence-Informed Milestones for Developmental Surveillance Tools. Pediatrics, 2022.PMID 35132439
- [2]Lipkin PH Promoting Optimal Development: Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders Through Developmental Surveillance and Screening. Pediatrics, 2020.PMID 31843861
- [3]Diamond A Executive functions. Annual review of psychology, 2013.PMID 23020641
- [4]Blair C School readiness and self-regulation: a developmental psychobiological approach. Annual review of psychology, 2015.PMID 25148852
- [5]Garner AS Early childhood adversity, toxic stress, and the role of the pediatrician: translating developmental science into lifelong health. Pediatrics, 2012.PMID 22201148
- [6]Forkey H Trauma-Informed Care. Pediatrics, 2021.PMID 34312292
- [7]Weitzman C Promoting Optimal Development: Screening for Mental Health, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems: Clinical Report. Pediatrics, 2025.PMID 40850690
- [8]Weitzman C Promoting optimal development: screening for behavioral and emotional problems. Pediatrics, 2015.PMID 25624375
- [9]Gartstein MA Temperament development in infancy: What we have learned about the origins of individual differences in the past 25 years. Infant behavior & development, 2025.PMID 40554909
- [10]COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics, 2016.PMID 27940793
- [11]Boylen S Impact of professional interpreters on outcomes for hospitalized children from migrant and refugee families with limited English proficiency: a systematic review. JBI evidence synthesis, 2020.PMID 32813387
- [12]Burvenich R Effectiveness of safety-netting approaches for acutely ill children: a network meta-analysis. The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 2025.PMID 39117428