Emotional Difficulties
Anger & Emotional Regulation
Help pupils recognise rising feelings early, teach calming strategies, and respond to outbursts calmly and consistently.
Whole-class strategies
- Teach an emotions vocabulary and a scale (e.g. zones or a 1–5 thermometer) so pupils can name feelings.
- Model and practise calming strategies with everyone: slow breathing, counting, taking space.
- Keep expectations and consequences clear, calm and consistent.
- Build in regular movement and brain breaks to release tension.
Recognising early signs
- Help the pupil notice their own early warning signs (clenched fists, hot face).
- Agree a calm-down plan and a safe space to use before anger escalates.
- Offer a discreet exit signal so the pupil can leave to regulate.
- Redirect early to a calming activity when you spot the signs.
During and after an outburst
- Stay calm, lower your voice, and give space and time rather than demands.
- Keep language minimal in the moment; problem-solve only once the pupil is calm.
- Reconnect afterwards and review what happened without shaming.
- Restore the relationship and plan together for next time.
Do
- Stay calm and regulated yourself.
- Allow cool-down time before talking things through.
- Teach and rehearse strategies when the pupil is calm.
Avoid
- Don't try to reason during the peak of an outburst.
- Don't take behaviour personally or respond with anger.
- Don't discipline publicly in the heat of the moment.