Younger children may need more explicit hints and cues.
Cuing children to hold their hands or put them in their pockets helps them regulate impulses to touch, grab, or hit. Key phrases such as “look here,” “look at me,” or “look
where I am pointing” are explicit cues teachers can use to help young children focus their attention. Beginning in infancy, teachers can help children recognize and name
their emotions by calmly saying to frustrated or angry
babies and toddlers, “You sound angry” or “I wonder if you’re frustrated,” and then cuing them to start self-calming by using gentle touch and saying, “Let’s relax” or “I’m here to help you.” As children begin to use language, adults can
provide cues about when and how to ask for help, when to
take a break, or when to try a different strategy.