1. Helping Your Child Manage Stress and Anxiety
Vicki Hilliard, lsw
Debby Rockwood, LISW-S

2. Stress and Children
All children experience stress and anxiety at times. Stress and anxiety 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 interfere with daily activities. Pay attention to changes in your child’s behavior so you can take action to help with your child’s stress.

3. Common Causes of Stress for Children:
New siblings
Moving
Starting school/childcare
Family illness or death
Divorce
New stage of development (adolescence)
Over involvement
Academics
Unfamiliar situations
Change 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.

4. How Can I Tell If My Child Is Stressed?
Daydreams frequently
Difficulty concentrating
Dull or vacant expression
Aggressive, angry, irritable
Withdraws from others
Becomes more fearful or anxious
Has more headaches, stomach aches, or physical complaints
No energy
Change in appetite
Trouble sleeping
Impulsive behavior or defiance
Losses interest in activities-isolates self
Nervous behaviors-nail biting, stuttering, teeth grinding
Falling grades
Some of these symptoms are normal at different stages of development. Pay attention to significant changes in your child’s behavior.

5. 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.