Children in grade school may feel more stress than parents realize. There are lots of different stressors children face in their world. Parents can help with school-related stress and give them strategies to cope and manage their anxiety.
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Stress at School
Kids of all ages may face stress related to school. Schools today have many different elements that may raise stress levels in children. One potential stressor at school could be academics. Some children may feel the pressure to get excellent grades and perform well on high-stakes testing.
Another potential stressor for kids at school could be their peers. Children may have conflicts with their friends and not understand how to solve problems effectively. Middle school and high school could be problematic due to this issue. They may also be victims of bullying, which could be exasperated by social media. Check out these five ways to help your child cope with school stress.
Teach Stress-Reduction Techniques
One way to help reduce your child’s stress from school is to teach them stress reduction. Children and some adults may not have the coping skills needed to deal with stressful situations. Model strategies that help reduce stress and cope with high-pressure situations. For academic-related stress, help your child prepare and study for exams. Consider an over the counter ADHD medication to help your child focus.
Promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices
It’s also important for your child to have a healthy lifestyle. Serve healthy foods at your house and encourage your child to make smart food choices. Make sure your child gets plenty of time outside and does at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Choose the best multivitamin for ADHD to ensure your child has enough of the daily recommended vitamins and minerals.
Make Sure Your Child Sleeps
Sleep deprivation may also make stress much worse, especially in a child. Help your child develop a healthy sleep routine by enforcing a bedtime that isn’t too late. Remove devices from your child’s room so they can sleep without being bombarded with notifications.
Communicate With Your Child
Communication is also key to helping your child cope with stress or anxiety. Parents can model effective communication by spending time with their children and encouraging open dialogue and honesty. If you also struggle with stress and anxiety, share your strategies for coping with your child. You may also weigh your own options for stimulant vs non stimulant ADHD meds for adults.
Show Unconditional Love
Most of all, you need to show your child that you unconditionally love them. Stress can be made much worse if your child feels judged or criticized by you or other family members. Be sure to tell your child how much you love them regularly and show affection so they feel welcome and secure.
Everyone feels stressed at times. If it’s your child dealing with their stress, you can set them up for success in life and improve their mental health if you show them ways to manage challenging situations. Work with your child to help them deal with stress in a healthy way.