Tips for Working with a Child Who Is Very Expressive

Friends, Family and Home

• Encourage her to allow other children to take the lead and make decisions sometimes.
• Assist siblings in getting to make choices about things as well as the more expressive child.
• Provide time for him to calm down after disagreements with friends.
• Help siblings and family understand that she will often be loud and insistent.

Learning, Childcare and School

• Explain to teachers that he tends to react strongly.
• Work with teachers to develop consistent ways to handle her feelings and outbursts.
• Ask teachers to encourage activities that involve pretend play and acting things out.
• Provide learning activities such as musical instruments that allow expression.

Activities and Television

• Encourage him in organized sports or activities that teach self-discipline and control.
• Provide her with games that use dramatic expression such as charades and dramatic play.
• Talk about how people show their feelings on TV and different ways she could show his.
• Read books and watch TV shows about leaders and talk about their qualities and what they might have been like as children.

Guidance and Discipline

• Remind her to stop, think and then act.
• When he is intense, hold him, rub his back, have him take some deep breaths, allow time alone, or relax.
• In an intense situation, ask her to focus on the facts, not just how she feels.
• Be careful not to overreact to a child's strong emotions. Stay calm!