Children are super sensitive to negative changes in their environment or in the people around them. It is up to parents to spot the signs of stress and anxiety this generates before it turns toxic and affects the child’s health and wellbeing.
Be happy, don’t worry
Parents everywhere want their children’s childhood years to be free, happy, relaxed and unaffected by the negative things going on around them. Although younger children are not always able to understand everything that happens around them, they will quickly pick up the vibes and become extremely anxious and stressed out if not handled with care.
Communicating their distress could be challenging because of their age and developmental stage. Fortunately, there are some common signs that can tell a parent or caregiver that a child may be suffering from stress.
Seven signs of stress in a child
1. Regressive behaviour
They may regress to behaviour more appropriate for a younger developmental age such as throwing temper tantrums, bedwetting or soiling after they have been potty trained, thumb-sucking, a fear of the dark, or waking at night.
2. Unexplained pain
Young children can develop headaches, tummy aches and/or other aches and pains for which no medical explanation can be found.
3. Withdrawal
Stress can cause young children to withdraw from people and activities they would otherwise enjoy. They may become more difficult to engage, preferring to be alone, and not interested in sharing their feelings.
4. Changes in sleeping and eating patterns
Good sleepers can become restless during the night, waking often, or even struggling to fall asleep. Nightmares can also develop, as well as a fear of the dark. A young child may also lose his or her appetite or show increased appetite.
5. Trouble with concentration
A child under stress may struggle to finish simple tasks or homework or seem to lose interest in the activities soon after starting them.
6. Behaviour problems
A young child under stress cannot control his or her emotions and may start acting out by throwing tantrums, picking fights, becoming easily frustrated, being aggressive or a bully, being generally stubborn or being disobedient. He or she could also overreact to minor triggers, or start telling lies.
7. Increased anxiety
A young child may become clingier, appear more jumpy and scared, be more afraid of being alone, or have difficulty relaxing and unwinding. He or she can also display fear of future events or worry excessively.
If you notice these signs in a child, it is best to consult a health professional such as a child psychologist.
Sources
kidshealth.org
www.everydayhealth.com
www.hopeshining.org
www.livestrong.com
Revised by M van Os