Kanga and Anger: Coping with Anger
Growing strong Series
What’s inside...
When things don't go right, Kanga the Kangaroo can become very angry! Sometimes he can be destructive. Kanga's mother gives him helpful anger management strategies and then Kanga is able to help his friend, Joey, with his anger.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
29 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Kanga felt when he was angry? Can you remember a time you felt the same?
What are some ways that Kanga tried to manage his anger in the story? Did any of those ways help him?
Why is it important to talk about our feelings, like anger, with someone we trust?
Can you think of a time when you could use one of Kanga’s methods to calm down?
What advice would you give Kanga if you were in the story with him?
Tip: Role play these questions
Validate your child’s feelings before diving into the discussion, to make them feel safe and understood.
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to Kanga’s story. This helps them apply the coping strategies they learn.
Use a calm and gentle tone to reassure your child that feeling angry is normal, and managing anger is a skill they can learn.
Highlight the positive outcomes in the story when Kanga manages his anger well, focusing on constructive behavior reinforcement.
Praise your child for sharing and being open during these conversations, reinforcing that it’s good to talk about emotions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and Managing Emotions
Explanation: Kanga and Anger explores how Kanga feels when he gets angry and the techniques he uses to calm down, teaching children that it’s normal to feel angry sometimes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize their emotions and use calming techniques like deep breathing or counting to ten when they feel overwhelmed or angry in real life situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: The story illustrates how Kanga’s friends react with concern and help him manage his anger, demonstrating the importance of being understanding towards others' feelings.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be supportive and empathetic towards their peers who might be upset or angry, fostering a supportive social environment.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: Through the narrative, children see how Kanga’s initial angry reactions affect those around him, underscoring that actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this understanding by thinking about the outcomes of their actions, helping them make more considerate choices in their interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Communication
Explanation: Kanga learns to use words to express his anger rather than acting out physically, which teaches the value of communication in resolving conflicts.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to articulate their feelings and discuss issues calmly with others rather than resorting to physical expressions of frustration or anger.