How do you teach a 5 year old to control their temper?

Question

My daughter has shown signs of having a very bad temper and she has actually hit my husband once. I have been able to tell before that shes wanted to hit me. She flies off the handle at her brother and sister so very easily.

My husbands family has a bad reputation for having bad tempers. So I want to make sure she doesnt get that way. My husband has in recent years learned to control his but I want my children to be able to control it before they get old enough to really hurt someone(or eachother).

Any ideas?

Answer 1

First don't loose your temper...Stay calm and request that your daughter use a calm voice and manors. Try some deep breathing usually 10x is enough. Deep breathing increases oxygen to brain and makes reasoning skills improve.

I do not give in to demands or yelling and I insist my 5 yr olds speak to me calmly and with respect.

Answer 2

First, nip the temper in the butt by listening for cues that show she's building up to a lost temper. Tone, body language, etc will indicate she's going for a meltdown. Put her in timeout immediately and explain that she's not allowed to express herself that way.

Its okay to be mad, but she can't express her anger that way.

Second, offer ways for her be solution oriented- to solve problems instead of going off the handle. Assure her being angry is fine, but she needs to direct it elsewhere and not at people.

perhaps your husband could teach her whatever methods he learned?