September 2020: What Does Stress Look Like in Children?
September 2020: What Does Stress Look Like in Children?
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The 2020-21 school is beginning like no other in history. Each member of our learning community has weathered this pandemic with varied lived experiences and have unique perspectives on the challenges we face. These global changes cause worry and anxiety in all of us. We have all felt stress in one way or another.
Adults are often able to recognize stress in their bodies and react appropriately to regulate their emotions, so that we can maintain a clear mind. Children, yes, even our 5th graders, often struggle to recognize big emotion when it hits. They struggle to name the emotion that they’re feeling and often can’t articulate where the feelings originated. So, how do we know, as observers, that children feel stress, worry and anxiety?
Children express stress through behavior, usually negative or passive. Stress can effect mood, concentration, focus and memory. When our emotions are heightened, people are impulsive. Consider changes you’ve noticed with your own children. Perhaps they have been hitting or yelling, or arguing more frequently. Perhaps they cry more easily. They may tease others or seem worried or quiet. Maybe they complain of being bored, this is because they can’t focus their brains. Perhaps they are less communicative, spend more time alone, ignore the people trying to engage with them. These are behaviors that could be symptoms of stress. How do we help our children ease the worry and stress, so they can focus and access their learning?
Help your child find their happy place. What do they enjoy doing? Does drawing, writing or music calm their bodies? Maybe snuggling with a loved one or a stuffed animal or on a soft chair helps. Maybe building with Legos or train tracks in a quiet place helps regulate. Perhaps exercise, like a bike ride or a walk makes the difference. Try digging in the dirt or other sensory tools like play dough or a rice tray.
I caution you to the use of technology to regulate emotion. Though technology is a distraction and can change emotion, typically, when people use technology to regulate, they don’t have the opportunity to feel their body relax. Use of the other tools will give kids an opportunity to experience that change as their body calms.
Your children’s academic success is priority and therefore we are dedicated to teach the social-emotional skills needed for students to access their education. The counseling program will focus on Zones of Regulation and Growth Mindset.
Partnering with families is my goal to support student success. Please reach out to ask questions, express concerns, hopes, and inspirational ideas.
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