Homeschool Friday - Cool Down and Work Through Anger

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Cool Down and Work Through Anger

By: Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed.

Publication: Free Spirit Publishing Inc.,U.S. (1 May 2010)

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Non-fiction, Teaching

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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Goodreads description--Help children understand and manage anger.

Everyone gets angry, so it’s never too early for children to learn to recognize feelings of anger, express them, and build skills for coping with anger in helpful, appropriate ways. Children learn that it is okay to feel angry—but not okay to hurt anyone with actions or words. They discover concrete skills for working through anger: self-calming, thinking, getting help from a trusted person, talking and listening, apologizing, being patient, and viewing others positively. Reassuring and supportive, the book helps preschool and primary-age children see that when they cool down and work through anger, they can feel peaceful again.

My 7-year-old has a temper. I can't imagine where he got it from. (Literally both sides of the family). So anytime I see children's books about anger, I get them so I can help him learn to process his emotions. 

Cool Down and Work Through Anger starts off by saying that we all like to control certain things. And when we don't get the things we want, we can feel frustrated and angry. This can also happen when we feel disrespected by others. And sometimes anger feels explosive. It gives a few steps that might help the child calm down, like breathing and counting. Then the child can think about their actions or what they want to say or do. Going somewhere to relax or drawing, reading, and singing might help. Playing outside and spending time with others is another option to relax. Then it highlights the benefits of feeling calm. We can all think more clearly when we're calm. We might actually be part of the problem. We can talk things out with an adult to help us understand and work through our anger. Making sure we show respect when we talk to an adult or the person who was there helps convey one's feelings. The importance of listening is highlighted. An important step is saying "I'm sorry" and taking responsibility for my actions without blaming others. Then it concludes with things the child can do like forgive, be patient, remember that everyone makes mistakes, and have a positive attitude when things are outside our control. We have the option of seeing the best in others and changing the way we think about others can change the way we feel. In the end, the conclusion of working through one's anger is that one gets to feel at peace again. 

Cool Down and Work Through Anger does a good job of showing lots of options and the whys behind them to continuing to feel the anger (not ignoring it), while also being productive with it to see if we can learn something. All of this is contingent on the child being receptive to improvement. In my experience, my child is resistant during times of anger. You have to teach these principles during times of calmness so that recall is easier in the moment of anger. Because resistance is more likely to occur if the child is already being controlled by his or her emotions. Cool Down and Work Through Anger gets 4.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Cool Down and Work Through Anger? What did you think? Let me know!