Coping Strategies For Children | The Child Behaviour Consultancy

When it comes to child behaviour, Behaviour Analysts highlight that it is extremely beneficial for parents to teach coping strategies for children, to their child, in order for their child to be better equipped to regulate themselves & their moods, etc.

Effective Coping Strategies For Children Advised By A Child Therapist:

Ask An Adult For Help – Studies in the field of Behaviour Analysis have found that this is an important message for parents to put across to their child throughout their parenting journey. When a child knows they can reach out to their parents for help, & that they will be met with support, then it makes it more likely that the child will reach out to do so. When a child doesn’t feel sure if they can directly ask a parent for help, they then sometimes resort to attention-seeking behaviours as a cry for help rather than directly speaking about their problem. The child having the comfort of knowing they can directly approach their parent with any worries they have, alleviates the need for them to present with negative behaviours.

Share How They Are Feeling With Someone Else – This is not only a great stress reliever, with the common saying, “A problem shared is a problem halved”, but it is also a way for a child to strengthen their bond with someone by opening up to them.

Watch Funny YouTube Videos – This is a great strategy for children, as it is a strategy that they are more likely to do, as screen time is generally something that all children are fond of. It is also extremely quick & easy to type in “Funny YouTube videos” & get instant access to funny videos.

Take A Bath – This is a great stress reliever for a child to learn, as it is something that they can carry into their adult life as well. It also provides great calming, sensory input which adds to the relaxation.

Blow Bubbles – Blowing bubbles is known to relax certain muscles in the body, & so it increases the chances of the child physically relaxing their body in a time of stress or upset. It is also a great distraction, as blowing bubbles tends to be something that most children love, especially younger ones.

Read A Book & Relax – The benefit of this strategy is that it provides the child with a healthy escape that they again can bring forward into their adult years also. There are so many benefits of reading, such as increased vocabulary, better grammar, increased imagination, etc., & so reading is a fantastic way to encourage a child to relax.

Cuddle A Teddy – When it comes to coping strategies for children, this is such a nice way of encouraging a child to find comfort. It is a method they can use on their own in their room if they need space, or they can cuddle their teddy while also cuddled up to their parent on the couch. It is an item that the child can bring with them for comfort at times they may be away from their parent, for e.g., on sleepovers etc., where the teddy would be a useful comfort for them then.

Play With A Pet – Playing with a pet is found to be very therapeutic, & it is great to establish this connection between a child & another being. Pets tend to always want to be petted & the majority generally always want to play/interact, & so it can be a healthy companion & stress reliever for children.

Paint Or Colour In – Painting or colouring has very therapeutic effects on adults & children alike, & so it is such a good activity to direct your child towards, if they are feeling stressed.

Go For A Walk – This activity allows the child to get a break from the environment that is causing them stress, & the fresh air, & the endorphins released from exercise, all add to a more positive mood.

Cycle A Bike – This again, just like walking, helps to clear the head, & release “happy hormones”, & so is another activity that boosts mood.

Write How They Are Feeling In A Diary – Writing down emotions & feelings, can often feel like the person has really got the issue “off their chest”, & in doing so it can feel like a burden has been lifted. It also helps the child to clarify with themself how they are feeling, & it allows them to think more clearly & rationally about the situation.

Have A Drink Of Water – This strategy is good for times when a child can get worked up over something small, & something as simple as taking a drink of water can help them regulate again.

Squeeze A Stress Ball Or Fidget Toy – This can often help in times of high stress where the child needs a physical outlet to release pent up emotions they are feeling at that time. Using the likes of a stress ball or fidget toy is as a more appropriate alternative than the child resorting to having a tantrum or presenting with other behaviour challenges, when they have no other outlet to do so.

Listen To A Happy Song – The effect that music has on changing people’s mood is widely known, with one song being able to bring someone back to a moment ten years ago, or the power of an upbeat song to instantly cheer a person up. Hence, why it is a valuable tool for children to use in order to put themselves back in a better mood again.

Behaviour Therapists underline that all of the above are very good coping strategies for children in terms of them being beneficial in helping them overcome things they may come up against, in terms of times they have difficulty managing anger, or have experienced a set back or disappointment & need a way of coping & turning their mood around again.

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