Anger management issues in children can cause frustration in parents and the children themselves. Anger issues can lead to aggressive behavior and lead to social problems. Programs exist that train both children and their caregivers in tools that ameliorate anger issues and improve behavior and socialization. If your child is displaying severe anger-management issues, consult a licensed therapist or counselor.
Mentoring Programs
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that mentoring programs may reduce anger problems and improve behavior in children. In a study published in 2010, students and mentors met in 25-minute sessions for 14 weeks. The children practiced several skills to reduce conflict with others and not lose control of their emotions. After the sessions, teachers reported improved emotional responses in these children. The mentored children displayed less anger toward others and were responsible for fewer disruptive incidents. Disciplinary actions, such as suspensions from school, were reduced substantially. Mentoring programs usually involve an older person spending time performing activities or counseling with a younger or less experienced individual for a short time each week.
Aggression Replacement Training
Aggression replacement training was developed by A.P. Goldstein and B. Glick in 1987. Its goal is to teach children to understand the causes of anger and to use techniques to reduce it and feelings of aggression toward others. According to the federal government's Education Resources Information Center paper called "Anger Management 3: Structured Programs and Interventions," adolescents often feel their only choice in many situations is aggression. The aggression replacement training program gives them skills that enable them to make a choice other than anger when confronted with stressful situations. One of the focuses of the program is to teach kids to think about the short-term and long-term consequences of their actions and to make a better choice.
RETHINK
The University of Wyoming describes the RETHINK program as a 12-hour course that teaches parents, children and youth leaders how to use anger-management skills. The program uses the word "rethink" as an acronym meaning Recognize signs and causes of anger, Empathize, Think how to reframe the problem, Hear openly, Integrate respect and love, Notice cues to anger and Keep the discussion in the present time. Other components of the program include relaxation techniques and problem-solving skills.
