Tips for Calming an Upset Child

From ballet to martial arts to soccer, we may not realize it, but our children have high-pressure lives and hectic schedules. And as physical beings, they may express their anger, frustration and anxieties in many ways. Unfortunately, sometimes those ways may be in the forms of tantrums, anxiety attacks and crying. As a parent, you may sympathize with your child, but it's hard to know the right way to comfort and/or correct your little one. Here are some tips for calming your child.

1. Imitation is Not the Best Form of Flattery

When your child is upset, it is sometimes an impulse to demonstrate how they are acting. Don't! This will appear as mocking or demeaning and will not help you reach your ultimate goal of calming your child. Instead, act opposite your child by being calm and encouraging them to take slow deep breaths. Going through this technique with your child helps you remain focused and help your child collect themselves and control their feelings.

2. Quiet Time not Time Out

Young children understand structure and punishment. A common punishment for bad behavior, time out, includes isolation; however, when a child is upset sometimes they need time to manage their emotions. Quiet helps you regain focus and sometimes removes you from the stressful, frustrating and maddening situation. When you offer quiet time, make sure your child understands that it is not for punishment, but to help them collect themselves so they can later talk about what is upsetting them.

3. Slowing Things Down

Diversions work in magic and in child rearing. A change in schedule or a disappointing moment will cause your child to react. To help soothe a child, parents should consider calming activities. Coloring, drawing and even sculpting have a way of focusing a child's attention and relieving stress. Keep a Ziploc bag or tote full of these low technology activities handy. The ultimate reward is that your child will have something to post on walls or on the fridge and your child will feel less stress and out of control.

4. Mommy/Daddy Time

Sometimes, children feel insecure in new or changing situations and simply want to be reassured. In these cases, parents should consider that a child simply needs to see or talk to a parent. Work out time to teach your child how to deal with frustrations and other situations during a fun activity such as a walk in the park, a game of tag, or even craft time.

5. Behavioral Intervention Plan

Whether unfamiliar events or embarrassing situations, parents cannot always be there to help calm their child. So, it is a good idea to speak with other adults, who regularly interact with you little one. Work out a contingency plan that covers your child's potential tantrums, anxiety issues and anger.

Your child's behavior, whether through disappointment or anger, can disrupt your home our activities in the community. Equipping your child with calming activities and soothing techniques will help them grow and develop into emotionally healthy adults.