Child Anger & Parent Involvement

Angry Child

Anger is a feeling that everyone deals with. Some children may have trouble dealing with their feelings and can often take their angry feelings out on other people. Many different factors can make a child angry, and it depends on each individual child as to what will set them off. Parents employing the right teaching skills can help children understand their feelings, and most can overcome anger issues.

Anger in Children

Many children resort to feeling angry when they are feeling helpless. Children often become angry when frustrated or not getting their way. Anxiety, sadness, isolation, embarrassment and pain can also cause anger. In addition, when a child has experienced a significant loss, he may act angry at times. To assess what makes a child angry, you must look at the child as an individual. What makes one child angry, may not affect the next. Parents must pay attention to the triggers for their child.

Expressing Anger

Children express their anger in a multitude of ways. Some children sulk and cry, and others may keep to themselves and use isolation as an expression of anger. One usual way to tell when a child is angry is through her facial expressions. The child may also talk about her anger and the incident that caused her to feel angry. Children often will seek an adult when angry and are looking for any attention they can find to help them deal with their feelings.

Teaching about Feelings

Parents should teach their children when they are young about different feelings and how to deal with them. This way, you can attempt to avoid issues later in childhood. Some parents use the onset of a feeling in a child to explain to him why he is feeling that way. This way, he can become familiar with the different emotions he is experiencing and become able to communicate more effectively.

Guiding the Child

Letting the child know how to deal safely with emotions will greatly help her. Allowing for an open dialog of emotions can help deter major outbursts. Talking about her anger will also make the child feel that she can have more open communication with her parents. Parents can even use their own anger as a model of how one should act when angry. They can then set an example for their child and explain their feelings and talk about anger in a healthy way. Whether by example or sitting down with the child and discussing their anger, parents are essential in teaching children an effective and healthy way to express their anger.

Discipline for an Angry Child

Children still may not deal with their anger well in some instances. They may feel they can not communicate effectively or are overwhelmed with their feelings. While continuing to keep an open dialogue between parent and child, discipline is very important in these instances. Parents must be clear about setting rules and continuing to stick by the rules without backing down. Harsh punishment, ridicule and sarcasm should be avoided at all costs. Instead, parents should use open communication and understanding. Parents should set aside their own angry feelings and focus on the child's anger when disciplining.

References

• athealth.com: Helping Young Children Deal with Anger
• PsychPage: Dealing with Anger and Children