A Volcano in My Tummy: Helping Children to Handle Anger

My brother said I hit him, but I didn't.
My father growled at me.
I got mad at Dad.
When I get angry it's like I've got a volcano in my tummy.
¿ a story by L, aged 9.

Children often have problems with anger. Teachers and parents often have problems with anger. Why? Because we're afraid of anger. It may mean that someone is out of control. It may mean that someone won't like us. It may mean that someone acts violently.

A Volcano in My Tummy is about helping 6 - 15 year olds handle their anger so that they can live successfully, healthily, happily and nonviolently, with motivation, without fear and with good relationships. An accessible resource book for teachers, parents and all who care for children, it is full of stories, and easy-to-use games and exercises designed to encourage children to see their anger and to deal constructively with it.

A Volcano in My Tummy includes sections on key concepts, building a child's self esteem, what adults can do when a child is angry, developing an anger management program, troubleshooting, and a special section for teachers that integrates the resource with other curriculum areas. Exercises are clearly described, indicating appropriate age levels, teaching strategies, materials and procedures to follow, with worksheets for the childrens' use. All are easily adaptable for use by teachers, parents or other caregivers.

"This is a wonderful book about anger. We need as many new and creative approaches to handling anger as we can find. A Volcano in my Tummy is full of useful ways for teachers and caregivers to help young people learn safe and effective means of responding anger nonviolently."
¿ Priscilla Prutzman, co-author The Friendly Classroom for a Small Planet and co-founder of Children's Creative Response to Conflict, based in New York.

Eliane Whitehouse is a counselor and psychotherapist who runs courses on "Happier Parenting", anger, human development, self-esteem, communication and eating problems. A teacher for twenty years and a published author of two children's novels, she is also the mother of two teenage children, and enjoys the outdoors and gardening in particular. Elaine lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Warwick Pudney works with men and boys in the fields of anger, gender relations and fatherhood. His passion is to help men live more creative lives and to facilitate social change. The father of three teenage children, Warwick lives and works in both Australia and New Zealand teaching, counselling and developing training programs.