How parents can manage big emotions in early school aged children

• Modeling healthy coping 

• Communicating and labeling emotions 

  • Teaching kids all emotions are valid but not all actions are warranted/can be harmful to self and others

• Boundaries and limits and appropriate consequences 

• Coregulation 

• Calming tools/sensory breaks and corners

  • Slime, slinky, tunnels, weighted blanket or animal, sequin pillow, water beads, kinetic sand, fidgets, bubbles 

• “Timeout” and active ignoring

  • Do’s and dont’s (isolation leading to feelings of rejection, teaching them they have to figure it out on their own or keep emotions hidden, not having parental support so distance with coming to parents is increased) 

• Coordination with school/teachers

• Managing stressors and adjustments/traumas/transitions

• monitoring patterns of behavior

• Knowing behavior is not “just for attention”/unmet emotional needs

• Stigma of parenting classes and additional supports

  • Early childhood can be challenging and it’s okay to not have to navigate it on your own 

• Impact of pandemic on development and mental health