Anger in Children

When children reach the age where they begin to talk they become more aware of how their behavior can affect parents . Your child is beginning to learn about feelings. Even though they don’t know exactly what feelings are yet and how to express them.

As a baby they had one basic means of communication to get what they wanted. I am tired, I cry. I am hungry, I cry. I need my diaper changed, I cry. Once they reach an age where they can talk they have to learn about their emotions and what words to use to express those emotions. That is when frustration kicks in. This is the point when most parents think their child has behavioral problems. The child is really just trying to express himself with the tools that he has. Even adults have a hard time using their words when they get angry sometimes. We get frustrated and want to express how we feel but don’t know how to go about it. If only we had a coach to tell us how we should do it.

One thing to keep in mind is that each child is unique and no single method of communication is going to work universally. Every child’s personality and situation has to be evaluated and understood in order to effectively support their newfound communication skills.


Here is a simple 3-step plan on how to start this process with your child:

Step 1: Read

Read books to them about feelings. I am going to include a list of books here that you can read to your child which will be the first stepping stone in overcoming this frustrating time in your child’s growth process.

Books about feelings:
Judy Moody (Judy Moody Series #1)
Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi (Board Book)
I Was So Mad (REVISED) by Mercer Mayer
What's Wrong, Little Pookie? by Sandra Boynton
Mean Soup (1) by Betsy Everitt
What Are You So Grumpy About? (Reprint) by Tom Lichtenheld
That Makes Me Mad! by Steven Kroll
No Hitting!: A Lift-the-Flap Book (LIFTFLAP) by Karen Katz
Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! (Reprint) by Mem Fox
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard