Help for Children With Anger Control Issues

Recognizing Anger

• Recognizing the warning signs and causes of your child's anger can help both of you get the situation under control before any damage is done. Warning signs of anger control issues often include yelling, clenched teeth, tensed body, deep breathing, rolling of the eyes, withdrawal, growling and unkind words. Point these signs out to your child so she will recognize when she is becoming frustrated and be able to calm herself.

  Although anger control issues may develop over things like embarrassment, rejection, feeling ignored, verbal conflict and conflict over possessions, they may also be caused by emotional disturbances or other deep personal issues. Identifying the causes of your child's anger issues can help control them.

Processing Anger

• Teaching your child to process and express his feelings of anger in a rational and assertive way helps avoid anger control issues. Advise your child to stop and think before he reacts in anger. Teach him calming strategies such as counting to 10, taking deep breaths, walking away and drinking a glass of water. Help your child to develop self control so that he can process and regulate his own anger.

  Read books with your child that address the emotions he is experiencing. Show him a better way of expressing feelings of disappointment and unhappiness instead of just telling him that the way he expresses his anger is wrong.

Leading by Example

• Children often learn what they live and emulate the things they see. One of the most effective ways to help your child deal with her anger control issues is to lead by example and display responsible anger management yourself. Show your child how to cope with her anger constructively by role playing. Create a situation that would normally cause someone to become angry. Show your child how to react calmly and responsibly. Also, speak to your child calmly when disciplining her instead of yelling or using foul language.

Redirecting the Anger

• Giving your child an outlet to redirect his anger in positive ways can help solve his anger issues. Designate a time for the two of you to get together and discuss all his feelings. Encourage him to keep a journal of his thoughts and emotions. Help him channel is anger into creative outlets such as sports, music or drawing. Encourage him to be more active by joining him for a walk, run, bike ride or basketball game. Make sure he maintains a healthy diet and gets proper rest. Restrict him from playing violent video games and watching violent TV shows and movies.

Professional Help

• Seek professional help for your child's anger control issues if your attempts to help her have been unsuccessful. Your child can take an anger management class to learn to express her anger in a healthy way or talk to a school counselor, family doctor, therapist or anger management counselor about identifying and responding to what triggers her anger. Most counseling sessions for children can be done one-on-one or with a parent present.