Here's What To Do
1
Ask your child about frustration:
- Ask if they know what "frustrated" means.
- Talk with them about how it makes their body feel.
- Ask your child to think of some things that have made them feel frustrated in the past.
2
Explain the Frustrated Freeze game:
- "When I think you are feeling frustrated, I'll say 'Freeze!' and then you stop what you're doing."
- Then you put your hands on your tummy, and notice your feelings.
- Take a slow breath so your hands go out and in.
- Then, I'll say "Go!" and you can try again.
3
Practice! Choose an activity your child finds frustrating (zippering a coat, completing a challenging puzzle, etc.). Practice the Frustrated Freeze game.
4
Repeat every time you notice your child feeling frustrated.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Hold your child's hands and take a deep breath together.
E
Engage:
- "When I'm frustrated my tummy hurts and my thoughts get really fast inside my head. What does your body feel like when you're frustrated?"
- "Let's practice by doing something tricky. Try zippering your coat. Freeze! Hands on your tummy. How do you feel? Breathe in and out. Okay, Go! Try zippering your coat again."
E
Encourage:
- "You're doing such a great job noticing that you're feeling frustrated. It can be hard to notice how we're feeling sometimes, even for me."
- "You're learning how to calm your body when you're feeling frustrated. It's something I'm still practicing, too!"
R
Reflect:
- "Do you think it's okay to have frustrated feelings? Of course! Everyone feels frustrated sometimes."
Not quite ready?
Name your child's feelings for them, like: "I'm thinking that you're feeling frustrated because you are having a hard time with that puzzle."
Ready for more?
See if your child can learn to do a "Frustrated Freeze" on their own.
As your child masters this skill...
They will begin to use mindfulness techniques to regulate their emotions.