Strategies to Help a Child through Anger Outbursts

Strategies to help the child during the big feelings of anger and frustration:

1. Make sure child is safe and not at risk of hurting themselves or others.

2. Remove from situation and stepping away.

3. Turning Grounding Switch

Silent or calm presence

It isn't always easy

If you’re angry or frustrated as the adults it’s okay and normal, you can can discuss with them after they're calm/deescalation

Avoid the word no

Try not to feed off their anger

Don't get caught in a loop arguing

Don’t give in to power struggles

4. Distraction: getting their focus of attention away from situation; this helps with the physical and possibly verbal responses until the child is ready to talk: suggest getting a drink of water, engaging 5 senses, punching a pillow, etc.

5. Ask what happened/cause of anger

6. Validate their feelings and reflect

7. Collaboratively speak with the child and come up with solutions and steps if a similar event were to happen.