Although we typically consider stress to be an adult problem, it also manifests in children when they do not understand a situation. Children can experience stress from a variety of causes ranging from unfamiliar situations to change in routine, making it difficult for them to deal with the experience. As children age, they develop problem solving skills, allowing them to eliminate much of this stress from their lives.
Vulnerability to Stress
Since children do not have as many previous life experiences to look back upon when dealing with stress, a seemingly minor event can have a significant influence on a child's behavior. Children under the age of six have less ability to look at an event in its entirety, comprehending the event without the influence of their own feelings and determining how to react to the event based on this information. As a result, new events can cause a significant amount of stress in a young child. In addition, genetics can play a vital role in how a child deals with stress, as every child reacts differently to a situation.
The Experience of Stress
When a child experiences stress, he goes through four different stages. This begins with a physical reaction from the onset of the stress, followed by the child attempting to understand what has happened. The child then considers how to deal with the stress and finally employs the skills he has discovered to effectively tackle the problem. In some cases, this could take days for the children to deal with entirely, making it much different from adult stress.
Showing Stress
In most cases, stress emerges in the form of emotional outbursts such as temper tantrums or crying. Some children attempt to avoid the situation by running away, while others may exhibit more aggressive behaviors. Stress does not always cease once the event has passed as children may become depressed and begin to avoid social situations. This leads to shyness, vigilance, worrying and becoming reliant on a routine. These children do not want to worry about what comes next, as the unknown could lead to additional stress.
Overcoming Stress
As a child ages, she should develop problem solving skills that help eliminate much of this stress. Young children may try to distance themselves from the situation as this may temporarily alleviate feeling stressed. Older children can ask questions about what has happened, rather than acting out at the first sign that something has gone wrong. If a child learns that acting out gets her what she wants, however, it could have long-term consequences.
References
- "Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic"; Mary Sheedy Kurcinka; 2006
- "Raising Good Children: From Birth Through The Teenage Years"; Thomas Lickona; 1994
- "You: Raising Your Child: The Owner's Manual from First Breath to First Grade"; Michael Roizen; 2010
