The Anger Box: A Tool To Control Tantrums
Although it may not seem like it, anger can be transformed into something positive. The anger box, a tool to control tantrums in children helps to achieve this. A correct self-control and awareness will be the results.
From the age of two, the child begins to be aware of his emotions, recognizes his autonomy and wants to enjoy it. When he cannot, because he has no capacity or because his parents do not allow him, he becomes frustrated and explodes.
In these cases of lack of control, the tantrum begins. Tantrum, crying and screaming come together in an episode whose results vary depending on how you cope.
Like an erupting volcano
At that young age, the little one has no control of his emotions. The prefrontral cortex, which regulates emotions, is immature and it is normal for it to react like an erupting volcano.
Parents have to deal with those tantrums. The child is very soon able to draw conclusions; If you understand that you can get what you want with a tantrum, you will do nothing to prevent it. It is best to act immediately, and the anger box will help.
Anger demands more self-control
The anger box is a tool to control tantrums that was devised by the psychologist Marina MartÃn. She helps children channel that feeling, one of the most demanding of self-control.
Rabies can be considered a defense mechanism. Faced with a physical or psychological threat, it emerges like a hurricane that destroys what it can. Analyzing it, understanding why it comes and how to deal with it is part of this strategy.
What a tantrum!
This child had a bad day due to negative situations that he faced at school and at home. One night it exploded and a monster a monster took hold of it, destroying everything it got in its path.
The monster disappears
But Roberto reflected and decided to fix everything that he had destroyed, from his discarded bed, to the books, lamps and toys that he had thrown away.
As he did so he felt the monster disappear, his anger diminished and his understanding of the damage done increased. Rage could now fit in a box.
Roberto’s anger turned into something positive. He understood not only that he could face her, but that letting himself be enveloped by that monster does a lot of damage to him and his surroundings. The moral of this story is to understand anger and how to deal with it, rather than avoid it.
The rage box as a tool
The anger box is a relaxation technique to help children understand their emotions through drawing. Also the impact they have on him and his family.
As many doodles as you like
After reading Roberto’s story, the child is given a piece of paper and various colors. On the sheet he can draw squiggles or make messy lines, according to his impulses; He will do it as much as he wants, until he relaxes.
Later, and to add fun to the strategy, the child is asked to put eyes, arms and legs on it. In this way, the monster will have an identity and the child will be able to recognize the emotion.
The triumph, the defeat of the monster
The anger box allows the child to cope with that uncontrollable and harmful sensation that takes hold of him; the more you draw the more effect it has on the monster, which ultimately ends up defeated. It will be a triumph for the boy, because he will have managed to control his anger and defeat the monster, which he locked in a box.
Whenever you feel annoyed or angry you can draw and lock the monster in the box. Little by little you will regain control and turn a negative emotion into something positive.
In each drawing the monster takes different colors and shapes. Parents can review the various doodles with him and discuss what he felt in each case.
The anger box is a useful tool for managing tantrums; It does not seek to change behaviors, but to solve unpleasant situations and calm the child.
