Understanding and Managing Anger in Children: Expert Advice
Learn expert tips on understanding and managing children's anger. Discover why anger is a valid emotion and how to differentiate between emotions and behaviors. Find effective strategies for venting, calming down, and fostering self-control. Create a supportive environment for emotional growth.
Anger is a fundamental and adaptive emotion, despite being commonly labeled as negative. María Teresa Monjarás Rodríguez, an academic at UNAM's School of Psychology, emphasizes that anger is a valid emotion and should not be suppressed. It plays a crucial role in setting boundaries and adapting to various situations. However, it is important to distinguish between the emotion of anger and the behavior that accompanies it. It is crucial to teach children the difference between expressing anger in productive ways and harmful ones.
In a recent conference titled "How to Help My Children in Anger Management," held as part of the UNAMirada desde la Psicología cycle, the university recommended parents and teachers be mindful of their expressions of anger. Children learn from what they observe, so adults need to model appropriate anger management techniques. Merely lecturing children on why they shouldn't yell or hit when they are angry is ineffective if parents respond to misbehavior with similar actions.
