Stress in a child - how to deal with it?

Stressful situations affect all of us, regardless of age. Increasingly, stress-related problems also affect younger children.

Stress in a child - how to deal with it?

Stressful situations affect all of us, regardless of age. Increasingly, stress-related problems also affect younger children. What influences the emergence of stress in children and how to deal with it?

  • Stress as the body's reaction to the difficulties it encounters
  • What influences stress in a child? Causes of stress in a child
  • Stress in a child's symptoms
  • Stress response in a child
  • Ways to relieve stress in a child

Stress as the body's reaction to the difficulties it encounters

Everyday life requires more and more commitment from us at every stage of development. From an early age, children feel pressure to sit, talk or walk as quickly as possible. As time goes on, expectations towards the youngest ones increase and in many cases they are related to the parents' aspirations. Increasingly, we can observe that in such situations, chronic stress arises in the child, which unfortunately does not lead to anything good. Children become frustrated and sometimes even aggressive not only towards their family but also towards their peers. All these behaviors are reflected in the situations encountered, but is it so easy to get rid of stress from the life of your loved ones?

According to the latest research, it turns out that more and more children and teenagers encounter stressful situations in their lives. In our country, this number fluctuates around 20% of respondents, which is a very high indicator of dissatisfaction with one's own life. Such a declaration from the lips of the youngest is a very important signartical not only for parents, but also psychologists and educators who can contribute to a change in attitude and quality of life together.

What influences stress in a child? Stress in a child - causes

There can be many causes of stress in children, as each person perceives different life situations differently. Stress in a preschool child is usually associated with shyness or a lack of compromise among peers. Stress in early school age children is associated not only with learning difficulties, but sometimes with being mistreated by other students. It should not be forgotten that harassment and ridicule in schools, despite the actions of teachers and the management of institutions, still occurs and brings unpleasant results. It is worth noting that childhood stress can also be emotional. Parents' quarrels, nervous and tense situations at home often affect the behavior of children, so it is important to resolve all matters peacefully.

What can be stressful situations among children:

 Stress of a child in a nursery

The fear of the nursery is unfortunately known to most parents who, for various reasons, had to leave their child under the care of the ladies in the institution. Although nurseries are perfectly adapted to the youngest, they have colorful decorations and professionally trained staff, they nevertheless cause stress for a two-year-old or even a slightly younger toddler. Stress in a child at night occurs in connection with situations that the toddler has experienced, such as falling asleep independently in a separate room.

Child™s stress before kindergarten

The issue with the kindergarten is similar. Toddlers are simply afraid that their parents will leave them alone in a strange place. It is worth talking with the child from the beginning and explaining why he will stay in kindergarten and how long it will take. Stress in preschool children is often related to the attachment to the parent and the lack of conversations about the new situation for the child. It is crucial that the parent never disappoints the toddler - even with the pick-up time. It is worth noting that the stress of a child in kindergarten can manifest itself in an unpleasant way, such as bedwetting at night. In order to reduce the feeling of stress, it is worth offering the child anti-stress toys to play, which develop the sensorics at the same time.

Child™s stress before school

When it comes to a child's stress at school, there can be many reasons. From the stress of the child before the test to teasing by peers. It's worth noting that a child's stress before speaking in public can also sometimes become more intense. Abdominal pain, dizziness and even fainting appear. Sometimes learning difficulties are also a signal that tells us about stress, so let's talk a lot with children, let's raise topics that may seem trivial to us at times. This will allow us to investigate the situation and find a quick solution.

Stress in children with autism

Children with autism perceive everyday life and the world around them completely differently. It happens that the multitude of situations or sounds will cause a stimulus, which leads to panic attacks and fear. The best help in dealing with stress in a child with autism is to calm it down, hug it (if it is needed and is willing). Let us not do anything by force, let us calm down.

Child stress after hospital

Some children are unlucky with their health. There are those who spend most of their lives in hospital walls and those who end up there by accident due to an injury or illness. Regardless of the circumstances, the time spent in the hospital, where nurses pierce their hands or plug in complicated equipment, causes anxiety and even stress for the child in the hospital. Let us then try to assure the toddler that everything will be fine, let's talk a lot and make plans for the time of recovery. Such conversations will definitely chase away stressful thoughts and allow you to think positively.

Pre-competition stress in a child

Many of the children in schools develop in various ways. Some take part in competitions and others in competitions. For these children, participating in tournaments is very stressful. Ambitious people, despite many hours spent developing their skills, do not believe in themselves as they would like. Let us encourage them then, let us cheer them on in everything and support them as best we can.

Stress in a child - symptoms

As parents, we can see in many ways when something is wrong with our children. Sometimes the change is the way we talk, sometimes it's just the lack of it. Children and adolescents experience stressful situations completely differently and in many cases do not know how to deal with them themselves. It is important that we never ignore any symptoms that may become unpleasant over time.

Symptoms of stress in children:

  • Difficulties with establishing relationships,
  • Lack of appetite or compulsive eating
  • Fits of anger, aggression,
  • Bouts of crying, hysteria,
  • Withdrawal and isolation from peers and family,
  • Problem with rest and relaxation,
  • Feeling overwhelmed or feeling helpless
  • Learning and concentration problems,
  • Panic attacks
  • Decline in self-esteem.

Important!

Never ignore the symptoms of stress or depression in your child. Support them always, even if you are confused by yourself. Talk, hug, just be.

Stress response in a child

Stress in a 4-year-old child manifests itself slightly differently than the stress of a child at school. As I mentioned above, the reasons are different and their feeling may also change depending on the age.

If you notice the following reactions in your so far cheerful and joyful child, do not wait! Get a frank conversation and find the reason!

Child's reactions to stress:

  • Isolation from people,
  • No desire to leave home and contact with friends,
  • Decline in general form,
  • Frequent infections, fever,
  • Fast heart beat and chest pain
  • Hair loss,
  • Hand tremors or muscle tightness
  • Vomiting, fainting, dizziness
  • Putting on weight or losing weight quickly.

Stress in a child and fever? It is also a common phenomenon that usually affects younger children, especially those experiencing stress in a preschooler. Sometimes parents misinterpret the symptoms when they think of a common infection, while the cause of the fever is complex and relates to the fear of staying in the institution.

Ways to relieve stress in a child

There is no one-size-fits-all way to deal with stress in a child. In order to support our child in everyday life and not to overlook the problem, it is always worth talking about various topics. Instead of spending time alone, we can use it for a walk together, cycling or going to the cinema. Moving on topics related to school, first love or failure will make the child trust us. Honesty and integrity are the basis of a good relationship. Stress in a child what to do? First of all, be a support in every, even the most difficult situation, and if the problem grows, it is worth asking a specialist for help. Perhaps he will prescribe pills for stress in a child.