Playground Anger Management Suggestions

September 17, 2009

Hi everyone,

My son, almost 7, has big issues with anger management, particularly on the

playground at recess and lunchtime when there is minimal supervision. He is

very good at reciting the correct way to deal with his anger (ie. NOT hitting),

but in the moment it is like there is no self control available and the

immediate instinct is to hit (and he does). I talked with him about perhaps

clenching and unclenching his fists, saying " I'm really angry right now " and

walking away. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I would love to have

someone who could shadow him and intervene and model the appropriate behavior

right as it is happening but doubtful that will happen. I've worked with enough

kids who have these kinds of issues, and my recommendations were always to have

a shadow if possible, now I see how impractical that is. I am going to try and

develop some kind of social skills/anger management board game to play at home,

if it turns out okay, perhaps I can take it into the school and all the kids can

play it in the classroom.

My son also has perception issues in that at times he will perceive that

something is happening that really isn't. Apparently he believed another child

was hurting a friend of his so he hit him. Other accounts was that the other

child was not being hurt but my son perceived it this way. Also, if someone

bumps into him by accident he perceives it as being done on purpose and becomes

angry and verbal and physical. Any suggestions on perception issues?

I have a call in to our mental health worker who has been seeing him for issues

related to anxiety, I need to see if she can work on addressing the anger issues

or if we need to see someone else for that...

Sorry this post is so long. Just feeling frustrated and a lil " don't know where

to turn next "

Recommended Posts