As there are many potential triggers for teenagers, it is important to observe whether related behavior tends to occur at a particular time, such as: Instead, parents, teachers, and emotionally-focused therapists can “help the child reflect on their behavior and help provide guidance to coping with their anger” (Travis, 2012, p. 31). This tool can help your clients learn to defuse conflict in an emotionally intelligent way using brief, respectful, and clear communication. There are various resources available online that can inspire and educate young minds, help them manage their emotions, and offer essential parenting tips. Teenagers can develop the capacity to understand and cope with their anger-related issues and acquire anger management skills much better than younger children. As language skills develop, soon-to-be adults can be taught to better explain and reflect on their feelings and process their emotions (Collins-Donnelly, 2012).

Teaching teenagers to apologize and offer something to make up for their wrongdoing is a valuable life lesson. We typically believe that other people or events make us angry, but it is our thoughts and beliefs that control our anger. We can, with practice, assume control over our feelings (Collins-Donnelly, 2012). In Starving the Anger Gremlin, Kate Collins-Donnelly (2012, p. 9) suggests a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach to managing anger in young people. She bases her guidance on “the premise that how we interpret experiences and situations has a profound effect on our behaviors and emotions.”

A Take-Home Message

Differentiating normal anger from anger that is out of control can be helpful for both parents (teachers, caregivers, etc.) and teenagers.

The clarity of the text and simplicity of the layout mean that young readers could use the book independently or with the supervision of a parent or carer, or as homework in between sessions with a mental health worker. The worksheets and resources that follow help promote practical advice and develop better emotional management skills, language skills (becoming more able to talk about and explore feelings), and self-regulatory skills (improving control over emotions and anger). If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others communicate better, this collection contains 17 validated positive communication tools for practitioners. Use them to help others improve their communication skills and form deeper and more positive relationships. This valuable guide for teenagers has practical tools to improve awareness and self-control. The five-step approach to managing anger is particularly beneficial. Emotional awareness and regulation — Understanding the emotions that impact us and being capable of managing reactions to them.

Anger Management for Teens Explained

What to Do When Your Temper Flares: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Problems with Anger (What-to-Do Guides for Kids) by Dawn Huebner This selection of anger management books includes various options and workbooks, just right for helping with teenager problems.

Adolescent teens are considerably more independent than younger children and express their anger similarly to adults. Behavior can be irritable, defiant, and high risk, involving various unhealthy or unhelpful acts, such as (Travis, 2012): Anger is typically expressed differently depending on the age of the child. Adolescent teenagers show their anger in more grown-up ways, most likely using their developed language and motor skills. This worksheet helps clients recognize when best to disengage from conflict or difficult conversations, cool down, and re-engage later to facilitate greater insight and joint problem-solving. Without clear guidelines in place or structures to control their anger, teenagers can have difficulty understanding the impact of their actions on others or themselves.More intimate relationships carry more emotion” (Peters, 2018, p. 104). When we say sorry to someone for our angry behavior, we send them the message that they and the relationship matter to us.

Using the Making Amends worksheet helps teenagers revisit what they have done, apologize for their behavior, and make things right. Can you think of three situations that typically make you angry where you could use more healthy behaviors?The behavior can be extreme and potentially includes “engaging in acts of substance abuse, misconduct behavior, assault, verbal threats, and sexual behavior” (Travis, 2012, p. 3). Use the Alternative Thoughts worksheet to help the teen recognize unrealistic thoughts and how they may blow the situation out of proportion. Then consider more rational, authentic thinking and how it could change the interpretation of the situation. Starving the Anger Gremlin is an absolute necessity for anyone working with children and young people who may need help with their anger. This workbook was recommended to me by a colleague and, as a Headteacher, I have found it to be a fantastic resource for use in the school with Key Stage 2 pupils. Pupils respond extremely well to its easy to read style, relevant examples and empowering approach. Support staff feel their knowledge in the area of anger management has improved immensely and that the book provides invaluable activities that they can work through with pupils in an educational and supportive way. A superb and effective resource!