You know your child better than anyone else. You’ve probably noticed that they can get really emotional on occasion, and it’s sometimes harder for them to calm down than it is for you. The best way to do this is to understand the psychology for children Adelaide and act accordingly. You might have even tried some of the following tips yourself:
Know when to step in and when to step out
The best way, as per Psychology for children Adelaide is to help your child self-regulate is to know when to step in and when to step out. Sometimes, you may be able to provide support for your child without having any effect on whether or not he or she successfully regulates him- or herself. Other times, the best thing you can do is simply offer a hug. And other times still, it’s good for everyone if you high five!
A big part of knowing when to step in and when is understanding what kind of help your child needs at that moment:
- You are present but not active – “I’m here if you need me.”
- You’re giving them space – “You can take as long as you want.”
- You’re there physically – “I’m right here with you.”
Help them learn the difference between feelings and actions
It’s important to help your child understand that feelings are not actions, the situation, the person, or even his behavior:
- Feelings are not actions. You can feel angry and still choose not to act out of anger. Even if you do yell at someone or break something, you can still feel sorry later on (and it doesn’t make those actions OK). If you’re feeling really mad at someone else, try saying, “I need a minute; I’m going to go outside for a walk and calm down first before talking about this again.” This way, both of you will have time to cool off! It might take some practice for both sides in an argument (or even just one side) to learn these skills—don’t expect immediate results!
- Feelings are also not related specifically back towards just one person or a thing like, “This is all Dad’s fault! He made me so mad! Why does he always do this? It’s always him!” Or “Mommy makes me so sad when she yells at me!” When we blame other people for our feelings, we’re putting them squarely on their shoulders instead of taking responsibility ourselves—something which helps nobody involved in such situations grow as human beings who treat each other well no matter how upset they are with one another.
Encourage them to talk about their emotions
When your child is feeling upset and emotional, find a way to help them talk about it. Ask open-ended questions that don’t lead the child down one path or another: “How do you feel right now?” or “What’s happening for you?” This gives them an opportunity to share whatever they’re feeling without being pressured into making any particular statement.
You can also give direct instructions on how to express themselves (e.g., “Can you tell me three things that are making you sad right now?”). When they’re able, ask them what they think will help make them feel better in the future (e.g., “What would make this situation easier for everyone involved?”).
Teach your child deep breathing techniques
When you feel stressed, you might take a few deep breaths and then immediately get back to your tasks.
But did you know that breathing can actually help reduce anxiety and stress? It sounds counterintuitive, but when we breathe slowly, deeply, and regularly—even for just three minutes—our bodies produce endorphins that reduce pain. This is due in part to the fact that our bodies associate deep breathing with relaxation (this is why some people use biofeedback to help them improve their sleep).
The result is an increase in natural painkillers called beta-endorphins. Deep breathing also helps regulate heart rate, so it’s a great way to manage anxiety or stress before having an important conversation or meeting with your boss!
Conclusion
As a parent, you want your child to be happy and healthy. But it can be difficult to know how to help them when they’re feeling overwhelmed by emotions or struggling with self-regulation. The good news is that there are many different strategies for helping kids learn about their feelings and how to manage them in positive ways. You don’t need to have a PhD in psychology for children Adelaide —you just need the desire to make life better for your child!
