Anger Iceberg for Kids (Printable PDF) & Ideas on How to Use It

Anger Iceberg for Kids: In this post, we will discuss how we can use the powerful anger iceberg metaphor to help kids, parents and educators explore the hidden layers of feelings camouflaged under the more explicit anger emotion. You will also be able to download a fun anger iceberg printable for kids.

“That’s the tip of the iceberg ” is a well-known expression that suggests that what you see or know about a topic is just a small part of a much larger and unknown reality.

In psychology, the iceberg metaphor was first used to represent the notion that conscious events represent only a small and accessible aspect of a larger domain of unconscious psychological functioning. 

But the iceberg metaphor is such a great way to visualize how much more is hidden in complex problems that it has rendered many more iceberg-inspired metaphors like:

• Cultural Iceberg (hidden subjective, unconscious knowledge that is difficult to change)
• Success Iceberg (you can see the final outcome but may not be aware of all the hard work and previous shortcomings that led there)
• Iceberg of Domestic Violence (often hidden and not visible)
• Anxiety Iceberg (there are many not-obvious signs of anxiety)
• ADHD Iceberg (using the analogy to draw attention to the many invisible symptoms)    

The Anger Iceberg that we will explore in this article is another well-known iceberg metaphor.

I wanted to explore the anger iceberg from a double perspective:

• An anger iceberg for kids, as an activity to help them explore triggers and underlying feelings that they may be experiencing when they feel angry.
• An anger iceberg for parents and educators, as a tool to help us reflect on the fact that those anger outbursts that sometimes puzzle us may be linked to other emotions that are playing beneath the surface.

What is Anger?

Anger is an intense emotion triggered by a perceived threat, provocation, injustice, or wrong-doing. It is often classified as a basic or primary emotion, but there are many secondary emotions that relate to anger.

What is the Anger Iceberg?

The anger iceberg is a metaphor that highlights that the expressions of anger that are so easy to notice may be hiding other complex emotions.

On the tip of the anger iceberg, we represent what we can see:

• Anger signs: yelling, shouting, stomping, destroying things, crying

Beneath the surface, we explore underlying feelings and emotions:

• Emotions that make us feel vulnerable and that we disguise as anger
• Anger as a secondary emotion, fueled by a different emotion.
• Examples of those emotions may be frustration, shame, hurt, embarrassment, jealousy, or guilt.

The Anger Iceberg metaphor is often attributed to John Gottman (Gottman Institute). Gottman, known for his work on marital stability and relationships, compares anger with an iceberg where the raw feelings cannot be seen.

Anger Iceberg for Kids

So, how can we use the anger iceberg to help our kids?

There are a few ways we can approach this anger management activity.

I’ve included a few scripts of what you may wish to say to your child or student (cursive text highlighted in blue)

At the end of the post, you will be able to download a cute anger iceberg PDF that narrates some of the scripts suggested below.

1. First, Calm Down

Trying to explore our feelings when we are overwhelmed just doesn’t work. Our thinking brain is in full anger mode, so there is very little room for reflection.

If your child is feeling angry or frustrated, the first step will be to help them calm down.

Effective calm down strategies may include deep breathing exercises, tensing and relaxing muscles, or taking a break with a fun activity (listening to a song, watching a video).

2. Talk About Icebergs

This is a good conversation starter because we are going nowhere around difficult feelings at this stage.

3. Anger Iceberg Metaphor: Connect the Iceberg Image to Anger

Now, use this great tool to draw parallels between the iceberg and anger.

 4. Use the Anger Iceberg to Explore Anger Feelings

Explore your child’s anger.

5. Healthy Ways to Express Anger

I wouldn’t want to finish any anger activity without working on emotional regulation and appropriate ways to express anger.

Once we have explored the anger iceberg, we can discuss safe ways that could help us cope with an anger problem next time we see ourselves in that situation (deep breaths, problem-solving, talking to somebody we trust)

Recommended resource: A Cool Kid Journal (Activities to help deal with anger in safe ways)

Anger Iceberg for Parents and Educators

Sometimes, we may forget when we look at an angry child that the big emotions we see are just the surface of the iceberg.

There may be unexpressed emotions, underlying issues, and vulnerable feelings.

It is important to teach kids to express anger in a healthy manner. But it is also important to dig deeper to understand their true emotions.

Last, but not least, remember that if you have concerns over your child’s anger issues or mental health you should seek qualified professional advice.

Other Anger Management & Emotions Activities

These posts and resources share can help your young people and children explore their emotions:

• Anger Journal
• Emotions Bundle
• Emotions Flashcards
• Anger Thermometers
• Wheels of Emotions
• Anger Management Activities for Kids
• Anger Management Games

Anger Iceberg Worksheet (PDF Download)

Your digital download includes the following resources:

• Anger Iceberg Story (A cute penguin explains the metaphor to kids)
• Blank Anger Iceberg printable
• Emotions checklist for inspiration or prompts when filling in the iceberg.