Teaching Kids to Control Their Anger: The One Rule

If we told you we knew the secret to teaching kids to control their anger, would you listen? It turns out the secret lies within Inuit parents and they have one rule...

The One Rule in Teaching Kids to Control Their Anger

Thanks to a Harvard Graduate Student who lived with the Inuits above the Artic Circle back in the 1960's, we now have insights into this parenting secret. An NPR article details not just her experience, but also the one golden rule mentioned by all the Intuit moms: Don't shout or yell at small children.

Nurturing and Tender

While this seems so simple (and even impossible to believe), the researcher saw it in action. Not only is traditional Inuit parenting incredibly nurturing and tender, they actually frown upon scolding. 

And don't even think about shouting. They view it as a lack of self-control for the parent (dare we say it's looked down upon worse than a toddler tantrum

Instead, Inuit parents view kids' "acting out" as an opportunity for them to learn more about their children and help them solve their own problems. 

No-Yelling Policy

In the same vain of "lessons are caught, not taught", Intuit children learn to control their emotions from parents who model the principle. They consider their "no-yelling" policy the first secret of raising cool-headed children. 

Inuits practice the ancient art of storytelling to communicate lessons. This establishes natural boundaries rather than feeling like they constantly have to correct their kids.

Today, we can point to screen-time for replacing much of our story-telling practices. Whether you agree with this parenting method or not, it certainly provides food for thought.