helping your child manage stress and anxiety
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Helping Your Child Manage Stress and Anxiety. Vicki Hilliard, lsw Debby Rockwood, LISW-S. Stress and Children. All children experience stress and anxiety at times. Stress and anxiety is expected and normal at certain stages of development: - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
VICKI HILLIARD, LSWDEBBY ROCKWOOD, LISW-S
Helping Your Child Manage Stress and Anxiety
Stress and Children
All children experience stress and anxiety at times. Stress andanxiety is expected and normal at certain stages of development:
* Infants-preschool age can experience separation anxiety. * Young children have short lived fears (dark, storms…).
Stress and anxiety becomes a problem when it begins to interferewith daily activities. Pay attention to changes in your child’s
behavior so you can take action to help with your child’s stress.
Common Causes of Stress for Children:
New siblingsMovingStarting
school/childcareFamily illness or
deathDivorceNew stage of
development (adolescence)
Over involvementAcademics
Unfamiliar situationsChange in routine
Not all of these stressors will effect every
child. Children handle their reactions to
stress differently. Some children have
natural abilities to cope with stress, while
others need guidance and to build healthy
coping skills.
How Can I Tell If My Child Is Stressed?
Daydreams frequentlyDifficulty concentratingDull or vacant expressionAggressive, angry,
irritableWithdraws from othersBecomes more fearful or
anxiousHas more headaches,
stomach aches, or physical complaints
No energy
Change in appetiteTrouble sleepingImpulsive behavior or
defianceLosses interest in
activities-isolates selfNervous behaviors-nail
biting, stuttering, teeth grinding
Falling gradesSome of these symptoms are normal at different stages of
development. Pay attention to significant changes in your
child’s behavior.
REMEMBER…
Some level of stress is normal. Let your child know that all feelings are OK, and encourage them to share their feelings.
Reassure your child that they have the coping skills to handle any situation.