Everyone has problems and worries, including children: failures at school, conflicts with friends, parents and much more. But there are certain signs in the behavior of children, in the manifestation of which parents should be anxious.
The older the child, the more difficulties he experiences. The main thing for parents is not to miss the moment when it is necessary to take action. Remember the eight signs that a child is developing stress.
1. Nightmares
Nightly fears are the most common response to stress or any psychological trauma in a child. You need to immediately discuss this problem with your son or daughter, explaining that fear is not a shame and even adults can experience such feelings. From these explanations, the child learns that you understand his feelings.
2. Concentration of problems and large volumes of the school curriculum
The need to study well and meet the standards and criteria; many children are brought to a stressful state. The task of parents is to ensure that the child is not overly loaded. Of course, additional classes and circles are good, but everything should be a measure.
3. Increased aggression
Sometimes a child in a stressful situation cannot express his feelings in words and begins to respond to stimuli with physical or verbal aggression. He may bite, scratch, fight, swear, scream loudly or swear. Children prone to aggressive behavior find it difficult to concentrate on activities requiring patience.
If home conversations do not help restore the child’s emotional balance, the help of a psychologist will be required.
4. Toilet problems
Experiences and stresses can be expressed in the child in problems with urination, he can urinate at night in bed. In this case, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor in order to understand whether this is a physiological or psychological problem. In no case should not be blamed for the night "accident".
5. Hyperactive Behavior
A child, especially a small one, often not only can not cope with his stress, but even explain to adults what worries him. In such situations, he begins to release negative energy, which transforms into anger, disobedience, excessive motor activity. The child is trying in such ways to report that he has a problem.
A hyperactive child can be helped to calm down and channel energy in a positive direction by reading books to him, letting him listen to calm music, offering to do breathing exercises, yoga or stretching.
6. Changes in the family or at school
Often a child can get stressed because of relocation, divorce of parents, birth of a younger brother or sister, or because of ridicule (bullying) at school. A frightened and lonely child will need a lot of parental attention. Try to maintain the usual rituals at home: reading before bedtime, Sunday walks with the whole family. If a child is bullied at school, parents must speak with the teacher and inform him about this.
7. Eating Disorders or Sleep Disorders
If the child is in a stressful situation, this affects sleep and eating behavior. Parents may notice an increase or decrease in appetite, a change in taste habits, for example, the child began to eat much more sweet. Perhaps this is how he is trying to seize stress. In this case, you need to try to find the cause of the child’s anxiety and solve his problems.
8. Perfectionism
Many parents are proud of their child’s excellent learning or sports achievements, not understanding how hard it is for him. Sometimes a child is so eager to meet the expectations of adults that he brings himself to a stressful state. Perfectionism, scrupulousness, the desire to become the best and the fear of making mistakes are also signs of stress.
Parents who recognize their child’s behavior in these descriptions should try to change their family’s lifestyle. It is imperative to talk with children in order to understand what problems torment them. If you cannot solve psychological problems on your own, you need to contact a psychologist.
Intuitive motherhood: how to notice signs of stress in a child in time
Parents are proud of their child’s excellent learning or sporting achievements, not understanding how hard it is for him. Sometimes a child is so eager to meet the expectations of adults that he brings himself to a stressful state. Perfectionism, scrupulousness, the desire to become the best and the fear of making mistakes are also signs of stress.