|
CHILDREN HAVE
STRESS TOO
In the hustle and
bustle world adults live in, parents and grandparents tend to
look at children and wonder what they have to be stressed
about. Even at very young ages, children have a lot of things
to feel stressed about! Things they are expected to do, things
they do not understand and cannot control create pressure for
them.
Stress is a
function of the demands placed on us and our ability to meet
them. Stress can affect anyone, even a child, if he is feeling
overwhelmed. A child feels pressure with school, friends,
siblings, new situations, and the separation from parents when
they are away from home. And, sometimes, with the best
intentions we plan too many activities for young children and
they feel stress with the expectation that they need to
perform and succeed at an earlier age.
It is not always
easy to recognize when your children are stressed out, but by
learning to help them balance stress they will cope better
with life’s challenges.
SYMPTOMS:
|
Younger Children |
|
Older Children |
|
- Sucks Thumb
- Twirls Hair
- Picks Nose
|
|
|
|
TIPS TO HELP
HELP REDUCE YOUR CHILD’S STRESS
- GOOD NUTRITION
- MAKE TIME FOR YOUR CHILD EACH DAY
- CUT BACK ON ACTIVITIES
- EXERCISE-- EXERCISE WITH YOUR CHILD
- PREPARE AHEAD FOR STRESSFUL EVENTS
(ASSURE CHILD–"IT IS OKAY TO BE SCARED")
- READ TOGETHER
Reading References:
-
Alexandra and the
Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith
Viorst
-
Tear Soup by Pat
Schweibert, Bhuck Deklyen, and Taylor Bills
-
Dinosaurs Divorce
by Marc Brown and Laurene Krasny Brown
RECIPE FOR STRESSBALLS
-
1 Grandmother (or parent)
-
1 or more Child
-
3/4 c Cornstarch
-
1/4 c Flour
-
1 Package Balloons
-
1 Funnel
-
1 package Medium sharpies
(markers)
-
Generous Hugs Add as
needed
-
Laughter Sprinkle on top
- Empty ingredients (flour
and cornstarch) into a bowl, stir. Take funnel and fill
balloons; tie balloons; add hugs as appropriate; draw faces
and sprinkle with laughter.
- Squeeze stress
balls to relieve tension as appropriate. |
