Child Behavior: A Quick Temper

First, your son may need reassurance. It is important to explain to him that his temper, though inconvenient for you, will not put off your love for him. But he also needs to know that, as he grows, others will not tolerate this type of behavior and that he eventually will lose quality friendships because of it.

Try to help him recognize when his temper flares. Much of the time, anger results from fear or hurt. Help him assess where the anger is coming from, talk it through. Give him an avenue to express his fears and hurts without displaying it inappropriately and inaccurately through angry behavior. This will take time. But I've seen a child of my own change his behavior over a period of about one year. To this day I ask him how he did it, and he will tell me that once he understood that there were certain things that triggered his anger, he could watch for them and he could control himself. This will work.