Your child is showing frustration, and their emotions are escalating. You know they need to learn how to manage their anger, but where do you start? You’re in the right place! This blog post will explore five practical and effective anger coping skills for kids, with a focus on neurodivergent children. We’ll provide tangible examples and engaging ideas to help your child navigate their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Deep Breathing Exercises
One of the most effective anger coping skills for kids is deep breathing. Teaching your child to take slow, deep breaths can help your kid calm down and regain control of their emotions.
Here’s a quick and easy exercise to try:
- Have your child sit or stand comfortably.
- Instruct them to take a deep breath through their nose for a count of four.
- Hold the breath for a count of four.
- Exhale slowly through the mouth for a count of four.
- Repeat this process several times until they feel calmer.
Encourage your child to practice deep breathing regularly so it becomes a natural response when they’re feeling angry or overwhelmed.
To make this exercise more engaging, you can introduce fun variations, such as:
- Belly breathing: Have your child place their hands on their stomach and feel it rise and fall as they breathe.
- Blowing bubbles: Give your child a bottle of bubbles and encourage them to blow slowly and steadily to create the biggest bubbles possible.
- Animal breaths: Ask your child to pretend they’re a specific animal, like a snake or a lion, and imitate the way that animal breathes.
Read more: Anger Test for Your child | 10 Questions
2. Create a Calm-Down Corner
Designating a specific space in your home for calming down can be a game-changer for kids with thinking and learning differences. This “calm-down corner” should be a quiet, comfortable area where your child can retreat when they need a break.
Equip the space with items that promote relaxation, such as:
- Soft pillows or blankets
- Fidget toys or stress balls
- Calming visuals, like a lava lamp or nature pictures
- Headphones for listening to soothing music or nature sounds
Introduce your child to the calm-down corner and explain its purpose. Encourage them to use it whenever they feel angry or overwhelmed, and remind them that it’s a safe space for self-regulation. To further enhance the calming effect of this space, consider adding:
- Aromatherapy: Use calming scents like lavender or chamomile in a diffuser or as a room spray.
- Weighted blankets: These can provide a sense of comfort and security for some children.
- Books or coloring pages: Quiet activities can help your child refocus their energy and calm down.
3. Teach Problem-Solving Skills
Helping your child develop problem-solving skills can empower them to address the root cause of their anger.
Walk them through these steps when they’re faced with a challenging situation:
- Identify the problem: Encourage your child to express their feelings and pinpoint what’s causing their anger.
- Brainstorm solutions: Together, come up with several possible ways to address the issue.
- Evaluate the options: Discuss the pros and cons of each solution and decide on the best course of action.
- Implement the chosen solution: Support your child as they put their plan into action and monitor the results.
By teaching your child to approach problems with a solution-focused mindset, you’re equipping them with valuable anger-coping skills for kids that will serve them well throughout their lives.
To reinforce these skills, consider using:
- Role-playing: Act out scenarios with your child to practice problem-solving in a safe and controlled environment.
- Visual aids: Create a flowchart or step-by-step guide to help your child remember the problem-solving process.
- Goally: Use this learning tablet to set reminders and track your child’s progress in managing their emotions and problem-solving skills.
4. Encourage Physical Activity
Physical activity is a fantastic way for kids, especially neurodivergent kids, to release pent-up energy and reduce stress.
Encourage your child to engage in activities they enjoy, such as:
- Running or jogging
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Yoga or stretching exercises
- Team sports or individual sports
Consider incorporating physical activity into your child’s daily routine, and don’t forget to join in the fun! Not only will this help them develop healthy habits, but it can also improve their mood and overall well-being.
Read more: 5 Physical Development Activities
To make physical activity more engaging and accessible, try:
- Family walks or bike rides
- Outdoor games like tag or frisbee
- Indoor activities like jumping jacks or dancing to their favorite songs
- Using Goally to set reminders and track progress in physical activity goals
5. Use Goally to Reinforce Positive Behavior
Goally is a learning tablet designed specifically for kids with thinking and learning differences. It offers a range of apps and tools that can help reinforce positive behavior and anger-coping skills for kids.
For example, you can use Goally to:
- Set up routines and reminders for practicing deep breathing or other calming techniques.
- Track your child’s progress in managing their emotions and celebrate their successes.
- Provide visual schedules and prompts to help your child navigate challenging situations.
By incorporating Goally into your child’s daily life, you’re providing them with a valuable resource to support their emotional well-being and self-regulation skills.
To make the most of Goally, consider:
- Customizing the tablet with your child’s favorite colors and themes
- Exploring the various apps and tools available to find the best fit for your child’s needs
- Regularly reviewing your child’s progress and adjusting goals as needed
Goally | Kid’s Tablet for Building Emotional Regulation Skills
Is your child struggling with understanding and managing their emotions? Goally teaches emotional regulation skills in a fun and interactive way!
The Mood Tuner app encourages kids to look inwards and identify their feelings, helping them understand what’s going on inside. Once they’ve recognized their emotions, they can choose from a variety of exercises designed to help them self-regulate and find their balance.
Wrapping Up
Helping your child develop effective anger coping skills is essential for their emotional growth and well-being. By implementing these five strategies, you’ll be well on your way to supporting your neurodivergent child in managing their emotions and navigating life’s challenges. Remember, practice makes perfect, so be patient and consistent in your efforts. Together, you and your child can build a strong foundation for emotional resilience and success.
This post was originally published on 05/11/2023. It was updated on 10/30/2023.
Goally
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