STRESS RELIEF IN CHILDREN
As your child has been adjusting to returning to school this year, you might see changes in their attitude, behavior, and emotions. It is normal for children to feel anxious and stressed from time to time, especially at the start of a school year. Here are a few tips for helping your child manage their stress:
Recognize that a negative attitude or poor behavior choices can be a result of stress. This doesn’t mean that your expectations for respectful behavior should change.
Acknowledge your child’s stress. Let them know you understand that change can be hard.
Listen to your child. Let them tell you about their school day, the good parts and the bad parts.
Help them identify their feelings. Are they frustrated, mad, sad, confused, overwhelmed? Finding the correct feeling word(s) can help reduce stress.
Validate their feelings. Never tell them they shouldn’t feel a certain way.
Tell your child about the importance of school and doing their best, even when it’s hard or they don’t want to. Hold firm to your expectations.
Be careful not to put too much pressure on your child for grades or performance. Every child learns differently and at their own pace
Try not to take away their stress for them by letting them stay home from school or doing their homework for them. This will not help them in the long run.
Talk about stresses they can control vs. stresses they can’t. Write them down and ‘get rid’ of the ones they can’t change (rip them up, throw them away, put them in a box).
Worry or Stress Stones can help your child work through their own stress. Your child can find a smooth stone and decorate it with permanent marker. Then they can keep it in their pocket or backpack to rub when needed.
Help your child develop positive self talk habits. When they’re stressed, they can begin to talk themselves through it – “I can do this,” “I am good at this,” “I’ve gotten through this before,” or “I’ll try my best.
