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Childhood stress (1)
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- 2. Objectives At the endof this session, participants will be able to: • Understand what is Stress • Understand childhood stress • Identify signs of stress in children • Recognize common causes of childhood stress • Gain tips to assist your children under stress • Create an action plan to help manage stress 2
- 3. STRESS!!!! 3 WHAT DOYOU KNOWABOUT STRESS?
- 4. Are you stressed? Let’sfind out…… Let’s do a STRESSTEST 4
- 5. 5 Many people canmanage varying amounts of pressure without feeling stressed. However too much or excessive pressure, often created by our own thinking patterns and life experiences, can overstretch our ability to cope and then stress is experienced. Your Score 4 points or less: You are least likely to suffer from stress-related illness. 5 - 13 points: You are more likely to experience stress related ill health either mental, physical or both. You would benefit from stress management / counselling or advice to help in the identified areas 14 points or more: You are the most prone to stress showing a great many traits or characteristics that are creating un-healthy behaviours. This means that you are also more likely to experience stress & stress-related illness e.g. diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, back and neck pain, high blood pressure, heart disease/strokes, mental ill health (depression, anxiety & stress). It is important to seek professional help or stress management counselling.
- 6. What is Stress? Stressis your body’s reaction to situations that challenge you. It is the reaction that you have to the excessive pressure or other type of demands placed on you. 6
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- 8. Instances of EUSTRESS 1. 2. 3. Instancesof DISTRESS 1. 2. 3. 8
- 9. CHILDHOOD STRESS Childhood stress canbe present in any setting that requires the child to adapt or change. Often children learn how to respond to stress by what they have seen and experienced in the past. But children often have their own natural way of responding to stressful events in life as well. It’s important to learn how your particular child acts when under stress, so you can be helpful in diffusing it effectively 9
- 10. Childhood Stress andthe Adult Brain × The brain is a remarkable organ. It’s responsible for thoughts and feelings. It tells your muscles to move. It even can grow or shrink depending on what’s happening in your environment. × Now a new study finds that going through tough times as a kid also can have an impact. × That stress can change the size and shape of the brain. Kids younger than six who experience abuse or other stresses can end up with brain changes that may never go away. 10 https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/childhood-stress-can-leave- changes-adult-brain
- 11. 11 Want big impact? Usebig image. Are you missing the signs? • Signs of stress and anxiety in children often show up as physical, emotional and/or behavioral changes. • Children respond differently to stress depending on their age, individual personalities, and coping skills, which can cause many parents to overlook the fact that their children are experiencing some kind of stress.
- 12. Physical signs ofStress in your child • Recurring Headaches • Constipation/diarrhea • Bed wetting • Chest pain • Stuttering • Frequent urination • Belly pains/stomach aches • Drop in grades • Loss of appetite • Racing heart • Sweaty hands and feet • Muscle spasms • Difficulty sleeping • Pain at the back of the neck • Nightmares • Indigestion • Over-eating • Restlessness • Outbreak of rash/canker sores 12
- 13. Emotional or Behavioralsigns of Stress • Feeling Overwhelmed • Anxiety • Inability to concentrate/focus • Reluctance to attend school • Sporadic bouts of sadness/depression • Crying easily • New or recurring fears (fear of the dark, fear of being alone, fear of strangers) • Acting out (fighting/easily agitated/quarreling with siblings) • Mood swings • Forgetfulness • Clinginess • Regression (sucking finger) • Pulling out hair • Biting nails • Withdrawn • Low energy • Very high levels of energy 13
- 15. 15 Common Causes ofChildhood Stress Parental Stress Physical pain, injury and illness Covid-19 Schoolwork
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- 17. Other Common Causesof Childhood Stress 17 Sibling Rivalry Being compared to another sibling /family member Frequent moves from one place to the next or between family members Child Abuse of any kind
- 18. 18 How can aParent help ease Childhood Stress? •Provide a safe, calm and secure home. A relaxed home atmosphere calms the nerves. • Have a routine for the child. Routine equals discipline and order. Less chaotic and stressful • Spend quality time just relaxing and having fun (family dinner, game night or movie night can help relieve or prevent stress. •Be a role model for healthy behavior. Do your best to keep your own stress under control and manage it in healthy ways. •Monitor television shows, books, computer and video games. •Keep your child informed of anticipated changes such as in jobs or moving.
- 19. What can aParent do? 19 • Learn to listen without being critical OR just be there when they are ready to talk. • Build your child's feelings of self-worth. Use words of encouragement, hugs and reassurance. •Allow the child opportunities to make choices and have some control in their life. The more your child feels they have control over a situation, the better their response to stress will be. •Give children time and space to unwind. •Teach relaxation and stress-reducing techniques: deep breathing (breathe in through nose and slowly out through mouth. •Encourage physical activity. •Guard your child’s mental health and well- being
- 20. 20 LET’S CREATE ANACTION PLAN Everyone deals with stress differently but Stress can usually be addressed by making changes. Consider creating a PLAN that helps you focus on more positive outcomes. To get started, take 15 minutes—away from distractions—to create your own stress P.L.A.N in just three easy steps. 1. First, think about what causes you stress—whether it’s a lot or a little. 2. Take some paper or a device and spell out P, L, A, N down one side. 3. Work through the letters below and set at least one personal goal per letter.
- 21. Let’s begin 21 Period . Selecta Period of time every day to switch off from the daily grind and focus on how you’re feeling. (To make your life less chaotic, try to wake up 10 minutes earlier using this extra time to create a realistic to-do list for the upcoming day) Location. Find a Location that’s away from your usual sources of stress. (Consider new places to explore, go to a local park for a stroll, visit a nearby river, go see someone you haven’t seen in a while or just find a relaxing spot to sit for a while. Any of these can help you focus) Activity Choose an Activity you enjoy that can help to relieve stress. (Reading a good book, exploring with new recipes, gardening, dancing, exercising, meditation, yoga, playing music, journaling, watching comedy movies) Name Name some people you can talk with who can help keep you from falling into negative thought patterns. People who help you feel positive and grounded. (Try talking with someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Consider spending more time with friends who know you well)
- 22. When to seek professional help? 22 Ifyou recognize signs of unresolved stress in your child. Your child Is becoming more withdrawn, more unhappy, or depressed Your child is having problems in school or interacting with friends or family Your child is unable to control their behavior or anger If your child is engaging in self-harm
- 23. Useful Resources 23 • CHILDREN MENTALHEALTH https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/four-things- you-can-do-support-your-teens-mental- health?utm_campaign=&utm_source=facebook&utm_ medium=organic&fb&fbclid=IwAR0tYAbvJOCXFCUC7F LgM-LD-g0hz6NOT3VvPSVHPLZf2gJXkUs4_ttYLAY Mental Health andWellnessWorkbook • http://OPM-gca.gov.tt/child/childZone How to teach Mindfulness to Children for Stress Relief • 11 Ways toTeach Mindfulness to Kids (verywellfamily.com)
- 24. REMEMBER × Children differin dealing with stressful situations × Some children experience more stress than others × Some are more sensitive to stress × Some are better at handling it than others. × Big challenge: know your children, pay attention to their stress and try to ease it as best as you can × Do not be afraid to seek professional help if water is more than flour 24
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