Start by helping your child notice when they're getting frustrated or angry. Use the Emotion Thermometer Chart together—point to different levels and ask, "Where are you feeling right now?" This simple check-in builds emotional awareness that's crucial for early childhood education. Kids might notice their heart racing, fists clenching, or face feeling hot. These physical cues become important signals they'll use later when managing big emotions during family activities.

Introduce the glitter jar as a visual tool for settling down. When your child feels anger rising, shake the jar together and watch the glitter swirl and slowly fall. This mesmerizing activity gives their brain a break from the intense emotion and models how feelings settle over time—just like the glitter. It's one of those simple things to do with kids that works surprisingly well for redirecting energy without forcing a conversation they're not ready for yet.

Teach deep breathing using a stuffed animal as a breathing buddy. Have your child lie down with their favorite stuffed toy on their belly. As they breathe in slowly through their nose, the toy rises like it's riding a wave. As they exhale through their mouth, the toy gently falls. This hands-on approach makes abstract breathing exercises concrete for early childhood learners, turning it into a playful game instead of a chore.

Give your child space to express anger creatively using an anger journal and colored pencils. Instead of bottling up feelings or acting them out, they draw what made them mad—scribbles, faces, storm clouds, whatever feels right. Older kids can write a few sentences about the trigger. This outlet transforms destructive anger into productive expression, a cornerstone of healthy emotional development during early childhood education. It's one of those simple activities for kids that gives them agency over big emotions.

Channel anger into physical movement using dance music or action cards. When frustration builds, turn on upbeat kid-friendly music or pull an action card ("Jump 10 times," "Shake like a wet dog," "Spin slowly"). Physical activity releases pent-up energy that fuels angry outbursts, redirecting it into something productive. This is one of those family activities that feels like fun, not discipline—kids don't realize they're learning anger management while dancing around the living room.