April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and for over six decades, The Whole Child has been dedicated to providing parents with the necessary educational tools to prevent the root causes of neglect and abuse. Our Mental Health team has given us some helpful tips for how to help your child keep their calm in tough situations, which in turn helps parents keep their calm, allowing for healthy emotional growth.
5 Phrases to Calm and Upset Child
Provided by Joseline Morales, MSW – School Linked Therapist, The Whole Child
- I’m here for you. I love you, you’re safe.
- It’s okay to feel angry. I feel angry too sometimes.
- I can see that you’re angry. Is there something I can do for you?
- I’m sorry for what happened to you, let’s try to solve it together.
- I’m proud of you for showing me how you feel, let’s talk about those strong feelings.
5 Phrases Kids Can Say to Calm Themselves
Provided by Faviola Lopez, LMFT – Director, School Linked Services, The Whole Child
- I can’t control the situation but I can control how I respond.
- I can ask an adult for help when I feel angry.
- It’s ok that I feel this way. I have a choice on how I respond.
- I can take deep breaths to calm my body.
- I can get through this feeling, it will pass.
