Discipline

Teach your child a few self-calming techniques to use

Many things upset elementary-age children. Among them: Being put down. Feeling left out or inadequate. Not getting what they want. Stress in their family. Failure.

Not knowing how to calm down when they get upset can lead to problems at school and elsewhere. Self-calming techniques can help your child learn to manage hurt and pain. They’ll keep him from lashing out in anger or frustration.

Suggest your child try these strategies:

• Take “solo” time. Go to his room to relax and regroup. Keep materials there that give comfort—books, music, funny videos, art supplies, hobbies, a journal.
• Tackle a chore. He can vacuum or clean his room. He should do something that’ll help him burn off steam or feel good about completing a task.
• Exercise. Bike, jog, dance. Do yoga or a sport.
• Sing a silly song.
• Shake his whole body to “shake off” feelings.
• Share his feelings with someone he trusts.
• Commune with nature. Look outside. Cuddle a pet. Dig in dirt.
• Write a letter.
• Ask for a hug.
• Take a warm bath.
• Find something about the situation he can laugh at.

Reprinted with permission from the January 2008 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2008 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Meg Eastman, Taming the Dragon in Your Child: Solutions for Breaking the Cycle of Family Anger, ISBN: 0-471-59405-9 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1-877-762-2974, www.wiley.com).