4. Use positive self-talk � Teach children to stay in control by
saying affirmations. Affirmations are simple positive messages
that the child can say to themselves in stressful situations. For
example, here's a few that a child could learn: "Stop and calm
down", "Take a deep breath", "Stay in control", or "I can handle
this". Suggest a few to your child and practice it with them. The
more you practice it with them the more likely they will use it
during an anger driven situation.
5. Teach them deep breathing � During an angry episode, our
breathing changes to quick short breathes. This breathing
causes a cascade of physiological changes in our body that
creates anger. By learning to controlled, deep breathing,
children can short circuit the angry response. Teach your child
to inhale to a 5 counts, then hold for a 2 counts, and exhale
for a 5 counts. For young kids, I call this breathing exercise
"Dragon's breath". Have them pretend that they are breathing
out fire with the exhale and that the fire is the anger leaving the
body.
6. Identify anger triggers � Most children respond to specific
triggers that cause anger. Ask your child "What situations
make you angry?" The answer will vary from frustrations over
homework to bullying at school. Then, talk about solutions
that are more appropriate to the problem situation. You can
even rehearse the scenario by role-playing.
7. Watch for the warning signs � When anger starts to arise, they
will show signs. Tell your child that it's important to listen to
the warning signs. Ask your child what the specific warning
signs that show that they are getting upset. Some examples
of signs could be talking louder, heart pounding, face getting
red, clenching fists, or breathing faster. Once you identify the
signs, start pointing them out when they show signs of getting
upset. For example, "I see your breathing fast" "Looks like you
are getting anger" "You're clenching your fist. Are you getting
upset." This self-awareness will snap the child back into reality
and help them manage the anger early � before it's out of
control.
The secret to successful anger management is to intervene early. Most
children use anger because it is their only coping mechanism for daily
stress. By identifying problem situations and providing them new
techniques for coping, you will keep the anger bee from grabbing
hold of your child.
Author: Tim Rosanelli
| 41

Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12Page 13Page 14Page 15Page 16Page 17Page 18Page 19Page 20Page 21Page 22Page 23Page 24Page 25Page 26Page 27Page 28Page 29Page 30Page 31Page 32Page 33Page 34Page 35Page 36Page 37Page 38Page 39Page 40Page 41Page 42Page 43Page 44Page 45Page 46Page 47Page 48Page 49Page 50Page 51Page 52Page 53Page 54Page 55Page 56Page 57Page 58Page 59Page 60Page 61Page 62Page 63Page 64Page 65Page 66Page 67Page 68Page 69Page 70Page 71Page 72Page 73Page 74Page 75Page 76Page 77Page 78Page 79Page 80Page 81Page 82Page 83Page 84Page 85Page 86Page 87Page 88Page 89Page 90Page 91Page 92Page 93Page 94Page 95Page 96Page 97Page 98Page 99Page 100Page 101Page 102Page 103Page 104Page 105Page 106Page 107Page 108Page 109Page 110Page 111Page 112Page 113Page 114Page 115Page 116 Produced by PageSuite