Helping Your Child Manage their Emotions

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A child who is able to control their emotions will be better at recovering from disappointing experiences, like a bad grade on a test, or cope with stressful situations. There are several ways you can help your child develop the ability to successfully manage their emotions, as explored below by an independent school in London.

Encourage Them to Forgive Themselves

Emotional outbursts are usually caused by how a child perceives a situation, rather than the situation itself. For instance, they may be terribly upset on the way to school because they forgot their homework. Alternatively, they might be cross with themselves for not doing so well on a recent test. Teach them to forgive themselves for making mistakes; they are only human after all. Remind them that everyone messes up sometimes and that the only thing we can do is learn from where we went wrong, rather than dwell on it.

Teach Your Child Coping Strategies

Help your child understand that if they are feeling angry or upset about something, it’s better to take a deep breath or remove themselves from the situation, rather than lash out. For example, they could say “I’m going to go to my room for a few minutes to be alone” or “I’m just going to sit in the garden for some fresh air”. Some people find listening to peaceful music helps when they’re feeling emotional, and younger children might just want to hug their favourite teddy bear. Find what works for your child and encourage them to do this when they’re feeling a certain way.

Prepare for Problem Situations

There are many situations that parents can pre-empt and help their child prepare for. For example, your child may have thrown a few tantrums over a difficult piece of homework in the past and are therefore likely to do it again going forward. In situations like this, it helps to prepare your child as best you can. Before starting a piece of homework, tell your child that it might be difficult but it’s important not to get frustrated and simply ask for help. Help them anticipate obstacles and plan solutions in advance.

Praise Your Child When They Keep Themselves Under Control

Praise is great for children when you want to teach them a particular behaviour. When you notice that they have successfully managed their emotions, like removed themselves from a situation where they knew they were going to get angry, be sure to tell them you noticed, and you are proud.