Stress can have an impact on anyone who feels overwhelmed — even children! Children can experience stress at home, in child care settings, or even in play with others. In the course of an average day, preschool children experience stress when they have to wait, when they want something they can’t have, or when they lose or break one of their toys. Also, in preschoolers, separation from parents can cause anxiety. As kids get older, academic and social pressures (especially from trying to fit in) can create stress.
Stress is considered to be an unavoidable part of life. A certain amount of stress is normal and necessary for survival as it helps children develop the skills they need to cope with new situations and build resilience. HighScope President Cheryl Polk, PhD says, “Developing self-regulation in young students has been shown to lead to future academic achievement.” An article from Child Mind Institute defines self-regulation as the ability to manage your emotions and behavior in accordance with the demands of the situation.
Below are links to some resources to help you and your children manage stress in healthy ways.
How To Identify Stress in a Child
How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation?
Our preschool’s Media Center, the Dove Room is designed as a place for our little ones to visit if they need to feel calm and take time to collect themselves. If you haven’t seen its transformation, please pop in for a dose of relaxation in the morning before you head off to start your day.
