| One of the world's great mysteries must be how a | | | | one often reacts before any rational thinking such as |
| child, so new to the world and uneducated in matters | | | | counting to ten can enter the mind. Like many things, it's |
| of human relationships, can so effectively get under | | | | necessary to practice before it becomes natural and |
| the skin of a perfectly rational adult. Adults who spend | | | | replaces the tendency to react physically, whether it |
| much of their time dealing with children, namely | | | | be internalization or an external show of anger. |
| teachers, should be immune to such "childish" matters, | | | | You must first start with the little episodes. Times |
| or so you would think. After all, the long road teachers | | | | when you find yourself mildly bothered, but not quite at |
| travel to earn their credentials is full of mandatory child | | | | the angry level, is where you should start. Each time |
| psychology classes taught by experts in the field. the | | | | you have that familiar feeling rising in your chest, use |
| problem is that most of these experts spend their | | | | the count to ten technique and let the feeling float |
| days teaching rational adults and not be assaulted by | | | | away. As you count, think of something relaxing to |
| dozens of attacking third graders. | | | | take your mind away from cause of your anger. |
| Remaining in Control | | | | When you return, things won't seem so serious and |
| Everyone gets stressed at times. Maybe it's something | | | | you'll be able to shake it off. As you continue to |
| at home, the work load or a mix of several factors. | | | | practice this anger management technique it will |
| This is completely normal and teachers rarely take it | | | | become easier and easier to use. |
| out on their students. But occasionally, a child seems | | | | No one expects teachers to have the patience of |
| more like some evil genius who knows exactly what | | | | priests (who also occasionally use the technique) but |
| buttons to push and what levers to pull to put the | | | | they are expected to know how to handle problem |
| nearest adult into a blind rage. This is where anger | | | | children. The real secret isn't in controlling the child, but |
| management techniques kick in. It is at this point where | | | | in controlling oneself. Many problem kids will get tired of |
| one is in danger of losing control and doing something | | | | trying to anger you if they see it isn't working. A few |
| they will regret. Though you can't completely control | | | | weeks of practicing the count to ten anger |
| the actions of the offending kid, you can remain in | | | | management technique will have you responding to |
| complete control of yourself and win the battle. | | | | these miniature terrors with the calm of a Buddhist |
| Counting to Ten | | | | monk. And you will come out on the other side feeling |
| Everyone has heard of the counting to ten technique, | | | | more in control of your classroom no matter what is |
| though most people usually don't employ it. That's the | | | | thrown at you. |
| problem with acute anger. It comes on so quickly that | | | | |