Children have started showing an increase in aggression and anger. The steady bombardment of violent images on the T.V., movies, video games, internet, and newspapers affect children. Children feel anger is the only solution to most problems. Thus anger management in childhood is extremely important.
Helping Children Cope With Anger
- The most ideal way to teach kids some anger management tips, is by demonstrating to them through your example. Suppose you get a phone call saying the car estimate has been doubled. You’re furious, and standing nearby is your child now watching you very closely, although, you may be very angry, muster every ounce of calmness.Tell your child “I very angry right now, the cost for fixing my car has been doubled. I’m going for a quick walk so I can control my anger.” Your child will copy this example when he is angry.
- For children, screaming, pushing, swearing or throwing things may be the only way to express their emotion. Ask your child to tell him how he feels. Say, “Let’s think of words that describe us when we’re really angry”.This will help him calm down and also be an opportunity to teach new words.
- Give your child options of things he can do when he is feeling extremely frustrated and angry. Make a big chart / poster to list them. You may suggest: walk away, run 10 blocks, think of a quiet place, listen to music, punch a pillow, draw, sing a song or talk to someone. See also children and anxiety
Child Anger Management Activities
These activities help children center their anger elsewhere and help them to calm down:
- Play with clay, or dough, which can be twisted, rolled and pulled apart.
- Water play activities
- Finger painting.
- Scribble on a piece of paper and throw the paper away, like, he is throwing away anger.
- Ask the child to dictate a story about what made him angry and then you read it back. Then, the child can crumple the paper and throw it away.