Anger Management in Pre-teens

“The truth about anger is that it only dissolves when it is really heard and understood without reservations.” – Carl Rogers

Pre-teens, ranging from 8 to 12 years of age are hormonal and are often agitated. At the concrete operational stage, tweens are rationale and organized in their thinking patterns. Pre-teens can be observed with a lot of anger, oppose and increase in anxiety at this age.

Also known as tweens, beTWEEN not being a kid and also not completely a teenager. This stage is very confusing with all the flooding hormones and also added pressure from school affect the mood and sleep.

Handling tween’s anger can be confusing, exhausting and distressing to adults. It is recommended to let the child exercise more authority and responsibility known as the reality discipline. If a kid wants to buy a cheap top with their pocket money, it is better to let them buy it rather than to say ‘no’ and make them angry. This way, the toy breaks in time and reality serves the discipline, not you.

 The role of parents beyond this age becomes preventive and not to implicate. Parents and caregiver have to keep that the child is getting enough sleep and healthy food to keep hormones and health in balance. Parents should not talk to the child about anger while a rage episode but in a calm state. They should help the child make their plans on how to deal with strong emotions.

Management of Anger in Pre-teens

Relaxation

A wide range of relaxation techniques can be used for anger management for pre-teens. Starting from controlled deep breathing to muscle relaxation ending on slow counting numbers to calm the anger down.

Exercise

Exercising aids the release of endorphins in the body which in turn reduces stress and anger perception and keeps them at bay. Brisk walking, running and cycling help to quickly manage anger.

Reflect

Reflecting on how the child behaves in an angry situation helps him become aware of what caused the situation, what behavior was not honorable and how the child should have behaved.

Anger Logs

Keeping a written record of anger episode helps form patterns of episodes and triggers. Anger logs also help pen down the child’s emotions and have a release than having disruptive behavior.

When the angry is uncontrollable and can be seen are harmful to the child and their environment, it is important to consult an experienced psychologist.  

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