So my daughter is 4 in February. She started preschool this past fall and has been doing so great. Has learned ways to regulate emotions and we practice at home. Been behaving really well. At her conference recently they talked so glowingly about her.

Well, she’s been on winter break since the 22nd and she’s been acting out and not acting how she normally has been.

She has been extremely bossy. Mean to her little brother which she NEVER is she has always adored him and been so gentle with him. She’s been having temper tantrums all day which finally stopped after the emotional regulation stuff we learned but are now back. (She of course still has temper tantrums just not all day long)

She got a markers and colored pencil kit for Christmas and I woke up one morning and found that she colored blue marker all over the walls, tables, curtains, her toys, etc. she has never done this and has always been a kid I felt comfortable leaving alone while I showered or whatever. Then a separate morning I came down and she somehow found Some Christmas candies that were gifted to my husband and tore into them all at 5am before we woke up. Didn’t eat them all and the ones she didn’t eat she threw around the living room and smashed into the floor. She also got a makeup kit for Christmas which we felt was fine because she’s always been so careful with her things and never destructive. But she ended up smearing makeup over her Toys, vanity, books, floor, rug, etc.

I’m just so appalled and at a loss. This is completely unlike her and I don’t know why she’s acting out or how to handle it. She’s been doing so good with her behavior this is like a complete 180.

Any advice?