Shake Off the Frustration Dance:
It doesn't feel good to be frustrated, and sometimes the feeling of frustration is so strong that it makes it hard to continue with the game or task. You can help children modulate their frustration by teaching simple calming exercises. When my kids were young, we developed a "shake off the grumpies" dance that we did whenever frustration got too strong. We'd stand up, shake our heads, arms and legs and shake off the frustration. The dance was silly enough that it made us laugh and then my kids were usually able to get back to what they were doing in a calmer and more positive frame of mind. If the "shake off the grumpies" dance doesn't appeal to your child, work with your child to find a ritual that helps him or her calm and refocus. Taking deep breaths, repeating a positive phrase such as "It's okay. I can calm down and get back to work. My frustration doesn't have to stop me." For younger kids, doing something physical to help release the pent up energy that sometimes comes with frustration is often helpful. Keep in mind, that these techniques will require practice, so don't expect them to work the first time. The more you practice them, the more effective they will be.