INSIDE
Discover healthy ways to deal with anger

By Meg Olson

Local preschool owner Theresa Cosgrove is planning a workshop to help families discover healthy ways to handle anger as part of national Week of the Young Child Activities.

“The week of the young child is to focus on the needs of children, and one of those needs is preventing violence in children’s lives,” said Cosgrove, who runs the Carriage House School on APA Road.

Cosgrove turned to one of her role models to choose a program she hopes will be of value to many people in the Point Roberts community: Fred Rogers. “Mr. Roger’s legacy, Family Communications, has produced a workshop called What Do You Do With the Mad That You Feel: Helping Children Manage Anger and Learn Self-Control for parents, caregivers and others who care for young children,” she said.

The three-hour workshop explores anger, where it comes from, and how young children can gradually learn the self-control necessary to manage their anger and channel it into productive activity, according to the Family Communications website. “There’s a way to tell someone how you feel without hurting,” Cosgrove said. She added parents shouldn’t try to stop or deny their kids own their own feelings, even angry ones. “Conflict can be an opportunity to learn and be closer to people,” she said.

The workshop will be held at the Point Roberts community center on April 21, between 6:30 and 9 p.m. Admission is free but Cosgrove asks that those planning to attend call her at 945-2673 to confirm.