The GR in anGeR: helping little ones regulate big emotions

Anger is a normal emotion that can be felt throughout the lifespan in many different ways, for many different reasons. Adults (whatever that means) are often expected to ‘have’ the skills to regulate intense feelings such as anger and present externally as if calm or in-control. It’s just not accurate to claim all adults have the skills and ability to regulate all the time, we all have our moments of feeling and acting out of control. 

Children need us to help them build these skills. If we don’t have the ability to do so ourselves, maybe we lean on other trusted adults; or we can utilize resources provided by alternative more creative sources. Here are a few suggestions to support your efforts in coaching your tiny human. 

Resources to help your child process and understand anger: 

• Movies: 

  • Inside Out 

    • Pixar

      • Personification of key emotions helps kids visualize and gain a deeper understanding

  • Frozen

    • Disney

      • Belt it out and just ‘let it go’ 

• Books: 

  • Train Your Angry Dragon 

    • Steve Herman

  • Grumpy Monkey 

    • Suzanne Lang 

  • A Little SPOT of Anger: A Story About Managing Big Emotions 

    • Diane Alber

• Physical Release Suggestions: *use these first when regulated to test it out- if these are risky for your child when in a heightened state focus on breathing exercises or other grounding techniques. 

  • Stress balls 

  • Putty 

  • Wall sits 

  • Jumping jacks 

  • Push-ups 

  • Outdoor walk 

  • Weighted blanket

  • Weighted lap pad