Giving Kids Tools to Build Friendships
Emotional Regulation and Communication Helps Youngsters Get Along
Kids don't always get along. Teaching a child to control their own emotions is one piece of the puzzle. Learning to express their feelings to each other, then problem-solve together, is a skill kids can develop at a young age.
The Grump Meter provides children with simple language for complex feelings. A child can use a color to tell a friend that they're becoming angry - or that they're about to blow their top.
This type of exchange does two things. A child can be appropriately assertive as they express their emotional needs, and they can also develop compassion and awareness of how their actions affect others.
It's All Fun and Games Until Somebody Gets Hurt
A game of duck duck goose can escalate from fun to a fist fight in a matter of minutes. Teaching kids to back off when others start going up the Grump Meter can prevent hurt feelings, damaged friendships, or worse.
Put it to Action
Have kids teach their friends about the Grump Meter. The colorful, opening section of The Grump Meter book is written at an early reader level, so even young children can read it to each other.
Encourage kids to tell each other what color they're on. Help them with language. Encourage the kids to use "I" statements. Here are some examples:
- "This game isn't fun for me anymore. I'm on yellow."
- "I'm on green because..."
- "Thanks for listening to me. I'm on blue now. Let's play!"Teach kids compassion. If their friend is going up the Grump Meter, it's time to take a break, evaluate if everyone is being kind, and find a way to adjust so everyone can have a good time.