It is often easy to label children’s outbursts and physical aggressions as misbehaviours. In reality, children may use these ways to release their anger as they may not be aware of safer alternative coping methods, shared Sharmaine, a social worker with Student Service @ Children’s Society.

Emotional regulation is essential to young children’s day to day life as it affects how they interact with people, their behaviour and their understanding of situations. So, how can children learn how to monitor and manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviours?

Here at Student Service @ Singapore Children’s Society, we help children (9 to 12 years old) through the Storm Riders Programme. The programme supports children to navigate their feelings with greater confidence through positive anger management, pro-social and problem-solving skills.

Storm Riders guide children to explore their anger triggers, recognise anger intensities and tune into their anger body signals. These help children identify emotions early and manage them before they escalate. The programme includes teaching deep breathing, grounding techniques, muscle relaxation and engaging in leisure activities as safe coping skills. Participants are also encouraged to identify trusted adults they can turn to for support during challenging times.

I recall a child who at the start, was quick to demonstrate his anger through verbal and physical aggressions. As I reflected with him on his anger body signal, assured him that it was normal to feel angry and emphasised the importance of reacting in a safe manner, he was observed to be able to recognise his escalating anger and removed himself from the anger trigger. He also collaborated with me to brainstorm the safe coping methods he could use and subsequently practised deep breathing and leisure activities to help himself calm down.

I observed that children benefit most from the programme when they receive constant support from the significant adults in their lives. Learning does not only take place during the programme, it needs to continue at home and in school. While the programme provides guidance during its sessions, it is through consistent reinforcement and modelling by caregivers and educators that help children learn, practice and apply these skills beyond the programme.

storm riders singapore children's society

Team photo of staff from Student Service @ Children’s Society. (From left to right) Mala, Pei Yi Toh, Pavitra, Gloria Ng, Sharmaine Low, Grace Oh, Nurul Afiqah Binte Abdul Aziz, Ahmad Taufiq Bin Muhammad, Neeru Rai

Here are some tips on how we can help our children cope with anger safely.

If you wish to sign your child up for the programme, you can fill in the form here to be placed on the waiting list. To find out more about the Storm Riders programme, please reach out to ssc@childrensociety.org.sg

Click here to read the story in Chinese.
请点击此处阅读中文版本

To stay updated on the Society’s upcoming events, subscribe to our mailing list at the bottom of this page.