Effective Ways to Teach Emotional Self–Control
Teaching emotional self–control is an important part of helping children develop into emotionally healthy adults. It is a skill that can be taught at any age, and it can have a positive impact on a child’s life. Here are some effective ways to teach emotional self-control:
1. Model Emotional Self-Control
The most effective way to teach emotional self-control is to model it yourself. Children learn by watching and mimicking the behavior of those around them, so it’s important to demonstrate how you handle your own emotions in a healthy way. Show your child how you take deep breaths when you’re feeling overwhelmed, or how you take a break when you need to cool down.
2. Establish Clear Rules and Consequences
It’s also important to establish clear rules and consequences for emotional outbursts and misbehavior. This will help your child understand that there are consequences for their actions, and that they must take responsibility for their behavior. Make sure the rules are age appropriate, and explain them in simple terms so your child can understand them easily.
3. Encourage Positive Self-Talk
Encouraging positive self-talk is another great way to help children learn emotional self-control. Teach your child how to talk positively about themselves and their emotions, rather than focusing on the negative aspects of their feelings or behavior. For example, instead of saying “I’m so angry right now!” encourage them to say “I feel really frustrated right now, but I know I can handle this if I take some deep breaths and count to 10.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an effective tool for teaching children how to regulate their emotions in difficult situations. You can practice mindfulness with your child by having them focus on their breathing or by doing simple activities like coloring or drawing together while focusing on the present moment instead of worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.
## 5. Use Visual Aids
Visual aids such as charts or diagrams can be helpful for teaching children about emotions and how to manage them effectively. Create a chart with different feelings listed along with strategies for managing each emotion (e.g., taking deep breaths, counting to 10). Hang this chart up somewhere visible in your home so that your child can refer back to it whenever they need help regulating their emotions.
## 6. Talk About Feelings Openly
Finally, it’s important to talk openly with your child about their feelings and experiences so they feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment or criticism from you or others around them. Ask questions about what they are feeling in different situations, listen without judgment, and validate their feelings without trying to fix them or make them go away – this will help your child learn how to manage their own emotions more effectively over time
We also have another guide where we talk about YEAR OLDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SOCIAL ANXIETY? .
