Helping Children Stay Calm and Handle Conflict

August 20, 2026 In Child Development, community resources, Developmental Screening, Early Childhood, Early Education, Health Care, Help Me Grow Resources, Kenosha County, Kenosha County Resources, Kenosha resources, mental health, Parent Resources, Parenting Tips, Prenatal, Uncategorized No Comments

 

Getting along with other kids isn’t always easy. Children may get angry, feel left out, get teased, or find themselves around kids who encourage fighting. Learning how to manage those big feelings can help children stay safe, solve problems, and avoid getting into trouble.

 

 

Everyone Gets Mad

 

Anger is a normal feeling, but it can be very strong. Children may become angry when their feelings are hurt, they feel misunderstood, they don’t get their way, or they feel left out.

 

When children are angry, they may notice:

-A faster heartbeat or a hot, sweaty face
-Faster breathing or trouble thinking clearly
-A strong urge to do something right away

 

Help your child understand that being angry is okay, but hurting someone, breaking things, or saying hurtful words is not.

 

 

Teach Your Child to ACT CALM

 

When your child gets angry, encourage them to ACT:

 

Acknowledge

-Notice the feeling and what is happening in their body.

-“I’m really angry right now, and my heart is beating fast.”

Calm Down

-Take slow, deep breaths, count to 10, take a break, or walk away. Running, listening to music, or squeezing a pillow can also help release extra energy safely.

Think and Talk

-Once they are calmer, think about what happened and what could make the situation better. Encourage your child to explain how they feel and talk about solutions instead of fighting.

-If Someone Tries to Start a Fight

 

 

Teach your child to stay CALM:

 

Calm Down

-Keep a safe distance, take slow breaths, and stay aware of what is happening.

Avoid

-Don’t trade insults, call names, or encourage the other person. These things can quickly make the situation worse.

Listen

-Stay calm and listen to what the other person is saying. Ask yourself, “What is this person really trying to say or what do they want?”

Move On

-Look for a way to end the conflict without fighting. Your child might:

-Use humor to lighten the situation.
-Give a reason to walk away: “We’ll both get in trouble if we fight.”
-Simply walk away if the situation isn’t getting better.

Walking away from a fight takes courage. Remind your child that choosing not to fight isn’t losing—it’s making a strong and healthy choice.

 

 

You Are Their Role Model

 

Children learn how to handle emotions by watching the adults around them. Show your child that it’s possible to be angry without acting aggressively.

You can say:

-“I’m frustrated right now, so I’m going to take a few breaths before I respond.”

If your child continues to have difficulty managing anger or getting along with other children, talk with their pediatrician or another trusted professional.