Activities for Children With Aggressive Attitudes

Children of all ages can display aggressive attitudes. A number of factors hold responsibility for aggression in children including genetics, parental behavior, culture, school life and the community. Aggressive behavior can take many forms. With accidental aggression, the child does not mean to hurt someone. Children who display expressive aggression may enjoy the act, although not necessarily mean to hurt someone. Hostile aggression is purposeful harm while instrumental aggression occurs over a battle for something or someone. Different activities can help these children.

  1. Sports

    • Sports provide a healthy way for children to release their aggression without causing harm. Sports teach children about the importance of fair play and teamwork. These activities also allow children to practice controlling their aggression. By watching other students practice discipline, they will hopefully learn as well. The children will exercise, and the physical activity will help them channel their aggression in a nondestructive way. They can choose a team sport such as football or soccer or an activity that highlights the importance of control such as karate. To avoid the competitive aspect, children can participate in running or swimming activities.

    Meditation

    • Lead aggressive children in meditation to help them calm themselves when they feel out of control. Many methods of meditation can help children; methods can include guided imagery and conscious relaxation. Teach the children to clear their minds, breathe slowly and count to 10 when they are feeling like the aggression is getting the best of them. Teach them how to think of calming things when they feel overwhelmed by aggression. Hopefully, they will apply these lessons to real life situations.

    Art

    • Children with an aggressive attitude often have difficulty expressing their feelings in healthy ways. They may have hidden emotions that are sabotaging them from within. Children can use art to bring these emotions to the surface. Through painting, drawing, sculpting and other forms of art, they can share the feelings that are bottled in them and hopefully address the source of their aggression. When children get upset, encourage them to draw or paint how they are feeling instead of acting out physically.

    Volunteering

    • Children who are aggressive can be full of anger, even when their lives are relatively positive. Some of this anger may be self-focused. Volunteering can help these children understand that others are in more difficult positions. A child who is angry that his parents will not buy him the newest electronics may feel a little more grateful if he volunteers to help children who are truly disadvantaged. Doing something good for others can also raise self-esteem and provide children with a positive focus.

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