How Can Parents Keep Children from Getting Angry?
• Catch children being good. Pay attention to the good things children do and tell them. For example, “I appreciate your hanging up your clothes, even though you still wanted to play.” We often tell children more about what is wrong than what is right about their behavior. When children hear good things about what they do, they feel better about themselves and they learn how to act in ways that please their parents. • Make sure their physical needs are met. A child who needs exercise or is hungry, thirsty, tired, or sick is more likely to get angry when something doesn’t go right. • Plan the environment. Take a look at the places your child lives in. If there are too many objects she shouldn’t touch, no place just for her, or not enough space for play, make some changes. Move objects out of reach and don’t leave things she shouldn’t have about. Child-proof the house. • Show interest in your child’s activities. Children will often try to get you involved in what they’re doing, and somet
