Anger Management Strategies for Kids

If your kid explodes in anger at the slightest problem, it's time teach her anger management strategies. You'll need to help your child find an alternative method of reacting, model the behavior that you want and practice the behavior often. This article will explain these anger management strategies in more detail.

  1. Find an Alternative

    • Children successfully manage their anger in different ways, and it is up to you to work together with your child to find an alternative that works. Suggest that he count backward from 10 (or higher if necessary). Teach him deep breathing or meditation. Suggest that he find a way to distract himself when he's angry to let himself cool off by reading a book, listening to music or playing a sport. Alternatively, suggest that your child tackle the problem head-on by writing about it, drawing about it or talking about it with someone he trusts.

    Model the Behavior

    • Once you've come up with a workable alternative to exploding, it's up to you to model that behavior. When you find yourself getting upset about something, show your child what you do to calm down. If the same alternative behavior works for you, tell her that you're doing it and why. If you use a different alternative behavior, explain to her what you're doing. You are your child's greatest teacher of how to react when he gets angry and you teach by a lot more than your words.

    Practice and Reward

    • For young children, offer a star or sticker chart to practice anger management strategies. Each time he practices the alternative behavior rather than getting angry, praise him and give him a small treat or give him a sticker on a chart that will eventually earn a larger prize. For older children, recognition of achievement in controlling anger may be enough. Praise him in various ways -- through a short comment, writing notes or giving him extra responsibility because of his accomplishments.

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