Just like adults, children get mad. When they do, their reactions and words can be ugly and mean. They tend to get overwhelmed by their feelings and lose their self control. A child’s inability to manage anger and regulate emotions can have lasting effects. It can also significantly impact their lives as adults. For this reason, parents should make it a point to help their children process their emotions and teach them how to calm themselves down. It may not be easy, especially for children with low self-regulation. However, you can make use of the following tips to help your children calm down and ease their aggression.

Go outside for a walk

One of the best ways to help your children calm down is by going outside to take a breather. Take them out for a walk and let them breathe in fresh air. Go to the park and bring your pet with you. It’s also a good idea to do some exercise together like running or jogging. It will help them loosen up and feel better. In fact, at least 10 minutes of exercise offers more benefits than meditation.

Take deep breaths

Taking a deep breath when you are upset is an effective way to calm down. This strategy works for both children and adults alike. Shallow breathing can keep us anxious and agitated. When you try to take deep, slow breaths, you will notice how your body physiologically calms down. This action leads to a calmer mental state. This applies to children as well. Practice taking deeper breaths together. Also, talk to them about how breathing can help them calm down.

Listen to relaxing music

Listening to a soothing and relaxing song can also help an upset person. Make a playlist of some calm and happy songs on your phone. Better yet, encourage your child to make their own playlist.   

Count from 1 to 100

Literally counting to 100 can help anyone take a moment to pause before responding with words they might regret. Teach your children this strategy when they are angry. While adults prefer to do this in their head, it would be better to encourage children to do the counting out loud. Have them recite the numbers until the end.

Discuss together what they’re feeling

As soon as your child has calmed down, talk him through what they are feeling. Discuss it with them and ask them what bothers them. Ask why they feel bad and what made them upset. Like adults, children have a variety of feelings. It would significantly help if they learn how to label these emotions at a young age. Let them recognize when they’re happy, angry, or upset. To help them, ask them questions like “Were you angry?” or “Did you feel scared?”

Teach them empathy

We can’t expect children to be mindful of how their behavior affects others. It is something we must teach them. If they did something wrong, it is the role of parents to make them understand how their actions impact other people. If they said something bad or hurt another child, ask them how they would feel if they were in that child’s shoes. Be sure to ask calmly. You don’t want to make them feel judged or accused.

Give them a warm hug

Getting a warm hug may not be appealing to your child but it can go a long way. Hold them still and give them a tight and loving hug. It will help them calm down and feel better.

Go to a chill spot

Does your child have a favorite spot in the house where they feel happy and relaxed? Do they have a favorite couch or chair by the patio? Bring them to that spot in the house whenever they feel upset. This pleasant spot could help alleviate a stressful moment. You could also use this designated place for discussing their feelings and issues so they will feel comfortable talking and opening up.

 Easing a child’s aggression when they’re upset and angry may be tough, but these tips can help you manage their behavior and help them calm down.

Looking for the best preschool in Colorado Springs for your little one? Please feel free to visit Young Scholars Academy.

If you’re wondering if you’re “reading into daycare too much” let us help you out by first saying you’re not at all! Picking out the perfect preschool or daycare program is comparable to picking out the best college, except with about 15 years difference in between! You should (and have every right to) be extra picky when it comes to picking out your child’s first school. However often we find that many parents become overwhelmed in the whole process and forget to ask vital questions to the prospective schools. Many parents, brand new and not, have suddenly walked into the classroom and forgot all the questions that had been keeping them up at night.
You are not alone!
Here’s just a few,
What to ask your child’s potential daycare:

1.  “What does your curriculum look like?”

This is SO important especially if you’re someone who wants their children to attend a preschool or early education facility more than just a daycare. It’s also important to set eyes on what the curriculum looks like. A curriculum that is out and always available to parents shows there is an academic plan rather than letting chaos break lose every day. Some basics in curriculum are: math & manipulatives, science & sensory, literacy, social studies.
Of course, the end goal for almost every parent who places their child into a preschool program is for their kid to be more than ready for Kindergarten. Ask questions like, “How do you guys help with that?” and “How do you incorporate that standards they need to know into the kids’ every day?” Whether your looking for Infant care or beyond, Kindergarten is going to come FAST so be sure to think about it now!

2. “How do you take care of your teachers?”

Might seem silly but this is such an important question! Anyone in any level of education knows that kids are downright hard. It takes some amazing individuals to teach day in and day out.
By simply asking how a program takes care of their teachers can give you a lot of insight into what goes on behind the scenes. If you get stammered answers or a deer in the headlights look, it can be surmised that the teacher’s mental health and well-being isn’t at the top of anyone’s to-do list. This truly is something that should be considered as the happier the teacher, the better (we all assume) the care of the kids will be.

3. “Do you have a camera system?”

It’s crazy to think that in 2018 not every program has a camera system! Our society is way too far advanced for this to be the case. So, with that being said you want to ask and see! Beyond that, ask if that camera system records, if parents can login and look throughout the day, and the security that goes behind the logins.
On the days when your child has rough drop-offs it’s always a great thing to be able to login and see that the 10 minutes of tears has passed, and your child has now moved on and is actively playing with the other children!

4. Ask about the teachers, administration and owners!

Who are the people that you are going to partner with to help teach your child! Parenting is a partnership even beyond your child’s first 18 years. Don’t be afraid to create conversation with your child’s teacher about what’s going on in the home, or if you have questions about certain behaviors your child is exhibiting. Ultimately you want a program that is going to teach like you parent! Whether your family is all about self-problem solving or if you guys tackle problems as a team, it’s good to know what your teacher’s style is like!

We also feel as though it’s important to ask if the program you’re looking into is corporate or family-run. While both have great benefits, sometimes families prefer one over the other! If you like the corporate programs, investigate the core values of the “big guys” and see if you can see that in the program. If you like family-run, see if you have a chance to meet the family running it, that’s huge!

Other things to look at are:

• The playground areas, do they look gated and safe?
• How do the classrooms look, are they organized or more than what you’d expect to be messy?
• Does it smell like bodily fluids as soon as you walk through the front door? No one wants that…
• Do the teachers acknowledge and greet you when you walk into their classroom?
• Is there a pin or security entry as you walk into the door?

Some helpful tips, right? Everything about picking out a preschool or daycare is important so don’t feel as though you’re being pushy or asking “too many” questions. Your child IS the most important thing in the world, remember that above all else!