Child Development: Recognising & Relieving Stress in Children
Sometimes a child’s behaviours aren’t easily recognised as signs of stress. Here we look at some common behaviours that can indicate your child is feeling stressed. Plus some simple techniques for helping children deal with stress.
Crying or Tantrums
If your child seems uncharacteristically tearful or appears to be over-reacting to things in ways that aren’t typical for them, this could be a sign of feelings of stress.
Developmental Regression
Another sign can be that your child seems to have returned to a behaviour they haven’t exhibited for some time such as bed wetting, thumb / dummy sucking, or similar. This will only be an indicator of stress if it has been a long time since they have done it.
Aggressive or Non-compliant Behaviour
When children are feeling stressed this can sometimes manifest as unusual shows of boisterous or aggressive behaviour. It may also show as uncharacteristic non-compliance with requests from family members or other caregivers.
Problems Sleeping
Sleep problems are one of the more recognisable signs of stress in children, just as they are in adults. If your child is taking longer to settle, waking more frequently in the night or having nightmares, this could indicate they are feeling stressed.
General Irritability
Another indicator or stress in young children (again, similar to adults), is out of character irritability. This can display as being quicker to take offence to perceived slights from family members or peers.
Social Withdrawal
In an attempt to conserve emotional energy, young children will sometimes become withdrawn and shy away from social contact with others.
Physical Contact
Conversely, some children will go the opposite way and be more ‘clingy’ than usual, seeking out more physical contact with caregivers and family members. This is a way for the child to try and find comfort when they are feeling stressed.
Helping Children Deal with Feelings of Stress
Acknowledging Feelings & Showing Understanding
One of the most important things for helping children deal with stress is to acknowledge their feelings. It can be tempting to try and dismiss your child’s feelings in an attempt to help them feel better.
Statements such as ‘chin up’ or ’you’re fine’ might be said with the intention of helping a child to feel better, but it’s important to let the child feel what they feel. An alternative such as ‘I can see why that would make you feel sad’ will help your child feel understood.
Self Expression
You can encourage your child to express themselves in different ways such as through singing, drawing or physical play.
Physical Activity
For children and adults alike, physical activity is a great stress reliever, so make sure your family routine includes plenty of opportunities to move.
Laughter
Looking for the humour in life and finding things to laugh about is not only a great stress reliever, it’s an invaluable lifelong skill. Even in the midst of difficult times we can always find small ways to have fun and have a good laugh!