Anger is a strong feeling we get when things don’t go the way we want. It’s like a big, grumpy cloud inside us. Everyone feels angry sometimes, and that’s okay!
There are many times when we might feel angry. Let’s think about some of them:
Sometimes, we feel angry when we want to keep playing, but it’s time for bed. Or maybe we have to clean up our toys when we still want to play. Have you ever felt that way?
We might feel angry if we can’t watch our favorite show because someone turned off the TV. That can be really frustrating!
Sometimes, if our friends don’t want to play with us, we might feel angry and sad. It’s okay to feel this way, but it’s important to talk about it.
When we feel angry, we can try to calm down. Here are some things that might help:
Try taking a few deep breaths. Breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth. This can help the grumpy cloud go away.
Tell a grown-up or a friend how you feel. They can help you understand why you’re angry and what you can do about it.
Sometimes, drawing a picture or writing about why you’re angry can help you feel better.
It’s okay to feel angry, but it’s important to find ways to calm down and feel better. Everyone gets angry sometimes, and we can all learn how to handle it together!
Feelings Journal: Create a simple feelings journal with the children. Each day, ask them to draw a picture of how they felt at a specific time. Encourage them to use colors to express their emotions. For example, they might use red for anger or blue for calm. At the end of the week, discuss the drawings with them and talk about what made them feel that way and how they handled it.
Role-Playing Scenarios: Set up a few simple role-playing scenarios where children can act out situations that might make them feel angry, like having to share a toy or not getting a turn on the swing. After each scenario, discuss with the children how they felt and brainstorm together ways to calm down and solve the problem. This helps them practice handling anger in a safe environment.
Anger Thermometer: Create an “anger thermometer” using a large piece of paper. Draw a thermometer with different levels of anger, from calm at the bottom to very angry at the top. Ask the children to point to where they think they are on the thermometer when they feel upset. Discuss what they can do to move down the thermometer, like taking deep breaths or talking to someone.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
“Let’s take a closer look at one of the basic emotions: anger. We can experience anger when we feel disappointed or rejected, when we want to keep doing something but our parents tell us it’s bedtime, when we have to tidy up but want to keep playing, or when someone turns off the TV while we are watching. Have these things ever happened to you? I get really angry when they happen to me, but I take a few deep breaths, and then it goes away.”
