Games to Help Kids Express Anger
When children's anger interferes with schoolwork, causes social problems or creates chaos within families, interventions may be necessary to help kids learn new coping skills. Children who do not learn appropriate skills to manage angry feelings risk ongoing problems into adulthood. Anger management problems can cause legal troubles, relationship difficulties and employment problems in adulthood. Children learn best through repetition, which makes board games a great tool to teach children new skills.
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Angry Animals 2
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Recommended for children ages 5 to 10, "Angry Animals 2" teaches kids that feeling angry is OK, and helps them recognize choices they have when they feel angry. Cards pose hypothetical situations about responsibilities, behaviors, sibling rivalry, conflict and relationships. Kids offer answers about safe ways to deal with these tough situations. With characters such as Angry Aardvark, Peeved Pig and Cranky Crab, players have fun learning about positive ways to manage or express anger.
From Rage to Reason
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"From Rage to Reason" is appropriate for people in grade eight through adulthood. Players offer advice to a fictional character, Randy, as he encounters problems at work and in his personal life. Players earn money for offering advice that helps Randy remain calm and make healthy decisions. The game emphasizes work situations, making it a great tool to prepare people for managing frustrations in employment settings.
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Peacetown
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"Peacetown" teaches conflict resolution skills to children ages 7 to 12. "Peacetown" teaches a variety of social skills, including sharing, avoiding, ignoring, taking turns and listening. Players also practice conflict resolution skills such as compromising, communicating feelings and taking responsibility for actions. Various vignettes challenge players to focus on attacking the problem rather than the person when solving conflict.
Remote Control Anger Control
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Appropriate for grades two through nine, "Remote Control Anger Control" teaches anger management skills while using the metaphor of a remote control. Players learn to "pause" and identify their feelings. They learn to "rewind" and consider past experiences and problems with anger. They are encouraged to "fast-forward" and consider potential consequences of anger. This game helps children to learn from past mistakes and use problem-solving skills to find the best way to handle a situation, and to either control their anger or express it in a positive and constructive way.
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