I know that anger can make some people nervous, but *anger* doesn't bother me. I figure if Jesus got angry, the capacity for anger is God-given. Now, how that anger is expressed needs to be managed and taught. Since happy isn't the only acceptable emotion in my home, I label anger and teach appropriate ways to show it. For a toddler, that might mean stomping their feet. *Not* as an effort to change my mind, but as an expression of anger that I set the limit. An older child can do an "angry dance". Or, draw and "angry picture". Some kids get worse with the physical release of anger, though, so you'll have to watch.

Now, running at me, or touching me (or any other person) in anger is absolutely unacceptable. Move away with a firm "I won't let you hurt me. You may not violate my body boundaries" Go into a different room. Do whatever to "prevent" him from contact with you.

Teach self-soothing skills. Teach your child how to process anger and how to calm down. What calms your child? Water works for many kids. Playing in the bath or shower, the sink, or even washing hands. Teach your child to think calm thoughts, to pray, to visualize a calming scene. My dd couldn't settle into sleep and I had to teach her progressive relaxation.

As a proactive defense, many intense children respond well to lots of texture play. Make sure your child has plenty of opportunity to play with shaving cream, dried beans and rice, play doh, etc.  Texture play gives children an appropriate outlet for the sensory seeking aggression some children engage in.

Never hit an aggressive child (but when they are past early toddler years, I don't necessarily block *peers* from hitting in response). You will not be able to teach an aggressive, angry child to not use their body inappropriately if you hit (spank).