Early Violence Prevention: Techniques for Dealing with a Child's Anger or Aggressive Behavior

1. Early Violence Prevention:Techniques for Dealing witha Child's Anger orAggressive Behavior Extension Agent, FCS Karen Lynn Poff, C.F.C.S. Family and Human Development Virginia Cooperative Extension

2. Research by Dr. Ronald Slabyon Youth Violence • Conducted interviews with adolescents who had committed violent crimes. • Results showed that the majority of the adolescents: • Lacked the ability to see a number of ways to solve a problem. • Did not perceive that there are consequences for violent behavior. Source: Violence Prevention Update, Family Information Services, December 1994.

3. Ages and Stages • Infants are not yet mobile, express anger by crying • One-year-olds enjoy walking and climbing, begin to use words, express anger by acting out • Two-year-olds use words to communicate, have short attention span, engage in parallel play, express anger with temper tantrums, may bite or hit • Three-year-olds are often cooperative, can make friends, are beginning to share, may still express anger with actions rather than words

4. Ages and Stages • Four-year-olds are very active in their play, engage in dramatic play, play in groups, can express anger with words • Five-year-olds enjoy group activities, have increased self-control, can use language to solve problems

5. Limited verbal skills Tired or Hungry Afraid Jealous Frustrated Screaming Calling Names Throwing Things Hitting or Biting Kicking Temper Tantrums Aggressive Behaviors Can Include: Reasons Young Children Behave Aggressively:

6. Messages To Send to Children • It is OK to feel angry; feeling angry doesn't make you a bad person • Adults and children can remain calm, even when angry • It is not OK to hit (or bite) others, hitting hurts • Adults and children can express anger through words, not actions • Angry feelings are a problem to be solved • We expect that they will learn to control their behavior • We are confident that they can solve problems without aggression

7. Specific Techniques to Use • Intervene before violence occurs and guide children in problem solving • Eliminate rewards for aggression • Support assertive behavior by the victim • Involve children in discussions about alternative solutions at times when aggression is not occurring • Structure meaningful consequences for aggressive behavior • Related corrective consequences • Reparations • Immediate practice of alternative behavior

8. Techniques to Avoid • Giving the aggressor extended attention -- even negative attention can be a reward • Encouraging the child to act out the aggression (by punching a doll, hitting with a padded bat, or other aggressive action) • Research shows this can lead to increased aggression • Intervening in problem situations when children possess problem solving skills

9. Prevention • Plan space and activities to prevent problems • Make sure children are not overly tired or hungry • Make sure there are plenty of toys to go around • Eliminate materials that suggest aggression • Include materials that invite cooperation • Make sure the space is not too confining • Move from child-directed activity to adult-directed one • Give advance notice to prepare children for transitions

10. More Prevention • "Catch" children being good • Nurture children's self-esteem • Teach children to communicate feelings with words • Use puppets, dolls, and toys to talk about angry feelings • Read stories about angry feelings to children • Conduct age-appropriate group activities (angry march, emotion picture file, angry face puppets) • Get professional help if aggression becomes an ongoing problem for a child