2. Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Understand what is Stress
• Understand childhood stress
• Identify signs of stress in children
• Recognize common causes of childhood stress
• Gain tips to assist your children under stress
• Create an action plan to help manage stress
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5. 5
Many people can manage varying amounts of pressure without feeling stressed.
However too much or excessive pressure, often created by our own thinking
patterns and life experiences, can overstretch our ability to cope and then stress is
experienced.
Your Score
4 points or less: You are least likely to suffer from stress-related illness.
5 - 13 points: You are more likely to experience stress related ill health either mental, physical
or both. You would benefit from stress management / counselling or advice to help in the
identified areas
14 points or more: You are the most prone to stress showing a great many traits or
characteristics that are creating un-healthy behaviours. This means that you are also more likely
to experience stress & stress-related illness e.g. diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines,
back and neck pain, high blood pressure, heart disease/strokes, mental ill health (depression,
anxiety & stress). It is important to seek professional help or stress management counselling.
6. What is Stress?
Stress is your body’s
reaction to situations that
challenge you. It is the
reaction that you have to
the excessive pressure or
other type of demands
placed on you.
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9. CHILDHOOD STRESS
Childhood stress
can be present in
any setting that
requires the child
to adapt or
change.
Often children
learn how to
respond to stress
by what they have
seen and
experienced in the
past. But children
often have their
own natural way
of responding to
stressful events in
life as well.
It’s important to
learn how your
particular child
acts when under
stress, so you can
be helpful in
diffusing it
effectively
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10. Childhood Stress and the Adult Brain
× The brain is a remarkable organ. It’s responsible for
thoughts and feelings. It tells your muscles to move. It
even can grow or shrink depending on what’s
happening in your environment.
× Now a new study finds that going through tough times
as a kid also can have an impact.
× That stress can change the size and shape of the brain.
Kids younger than six who experience abuse or other
stresses can end up with brain changes that may never
go away.
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https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/childhood-stress-can-leave-
changes-adult-brain
11. 11
Want big impact?
Use big image.
Are you missing the signs?
• Signs of stress and anxiety in children often show up as
physical, emotional and/or behavioral changes.
• Children respond differently to stress depending on their
age, individual personalities, and coping skills, which can
cause many parents to overlook the fact that their children
are experiencing some kind of stress.
12. Physical signs of Stress in your child
• Recurring Headaches
• Constipation/diarrhea
• Bed wetting
• Chest pain
• Stuttering
• Frequent urination
• Belly pains/stomach aches
• Drop in grades
• Loss of appetite
• Racing heart
• Sweaty hands and feet
• Muscle spasms
• Difficulty sleeping
• Pain at the back of the neck
• Nightmares
• Indigestion
• Over-eating
• Restlessness
• Outbreak of rash/canker sores
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13. Emotional or Behavioral signs of Stress
• Feeling Overwhelmed
• Anxiety
• Inability to concentrate/focus
• Reluctance to attend school
• Sporadic bouts of sadness/depression
• Crying easily
• New or recurring fears (fear of the dark, fear
of being alone, fear of strangers)
• Acting out (fighting/easily
agitated/quarreling with siblings)
• Mood swings
• Forgetfulness
• Clinginess
• Regression (sucking finger)
• Pulling out hair
• Biting nails
• Withdrawn
• Low energy
• Very high levels of energy
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14.
15. 15
Common Causes of Childhood Stress
Parental Stress
Physical pain,
injury and illness
Covid-19
Schoolwork
17. Other Common Causes of Childhood Stress
17
Sibling Rivalry
Being compared to
another sibling /family
member
Frequent moves
from one place to
the next or
between family
members
Child Abuse
of any kind
18. 18
How can a Parent help ease Childhood
Stress?
•Provide a safe, calm and secure home. A relaxed home atmosphere calms the nerves.
• Have a routine for the child. Routine equals discipline and order. Less chaotic and stressful
• Spend quality time just relaxing and having fun (family dinner, game night or movie night can help
relieve or prevent stress.
•Be a role model for healthy behavior. Do your best to keep your own stress under control and manage
it in healthy ways.
•Monitor television shows, books, computer and video games.
•Keep your child informed of anticipated changes such as in jobs or moving.
19. What can a Parent do?
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• Learn to listen without being critical OR just be there when they are ready to talk.
• Build your child's feelings of self-worth. Use words of encouragement, hugs and reassurance.
•Allow the child opportunities to make choices and have some control in their life. The more your
child feels they have control over a situation, the better their response to stress will be.
•Give children time and space to unwind.
•Teach relaxation and stress-reducing techniques: deep breathing (breathe in through nose and
slowly out through mouth.
•Encourage physical activity.
•Guard your child’s mental health and well- being
20. 20
LET’S CREATE AN ACTION PLAN
Everyone deals with stress differently but Stress can usually be addressed by making
changes. Consider creating a PLAN that helps you focus on more positive outcomes. To
get started, take 15 minutes—away from distractions—to create your own stress
P.L.A.N in just three easy steps.
1. First, think about what causes you stress—whether it’s a lot or a little.
2. Take some paper or a device and spell out P, L, A, N down one side.
3. Work through the letters below and set at least one personal goal per letter.
21. Let’s begin
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Period
.
Select a Period of time every day to switch off from the daily grind and
focus on how you’re feeling. (To make your life less chaotic, try to wake up 10 minutes
earlier using this extra time to create a realistic to-do list for the upcoming day)
Location.
Find a Location that’s away from your usual sources of stress. (Consider new
places to explore, go to a local park for a stroll, visit a nearby river, go see someone you haven’t
seen in a while or just find a relaxing spot to sit for a while. Any of these can help you focus)
Activity
Choose an Activity you enjoy that can help to relieve stress. (Reading a good book,
exploring with new recipes, gardening, dancing, exercising, meditation, yoga, playing music, journaling,
watching comedy movies)
Name
Name some people you can talk with who can help keep you from falling into
negative thought patterns. People who help you feel positive and grounded.
(Try talking with someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Consider spending more time with
friends who know you well)
22. When to
seek
professional
help?
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If you recognize signs of unresolved stress
in your child.
Your child Is becoming more withdrawn,
more unhappy, or depressed
Your child is having problems in school or
interacting with friends or family
Your child is unable to control their
behavior or anger
If your child is engaging in self-harm
23. Useful
Resources
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• CHILDREN MENTAL HEALTH
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/four-things-
you-can-do-support-your-teens-mental-
health?utm_campaign=&utm_source=facebook&utm_
medium=organic&fb&fbclid=IwAR0tYAbvJOCXFCUC7F
LgM-LD-g0hz6NOT3VvPSVHPLZf2gJXkUs4_ttYLAY
Mental Health andWellnessWorkbook
• http://OPM-gca.gov.tt/child/childZone
How to teach Mindfulness to Children for
Stress Relief
• 11 Ways toTeach Mindfulness to Kids
(verywellfamily.com)
24. REMEMBER
× Children differ in dealing with stressful situations
× Some children experience more stress than others
× Some are more sensitive to stress
× Some are better at handling it than others.
× Big challenge: know your children, pay attention to their stress and try
to ease it as best as you can
× Do not be afraid to seek professional help if water is more than flour
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