5 practical tips to help kids deal with stress

Life is full of unexpected moments; Whether it’s a pleasant surprise or an unforeseen obstacle, we can always face many positive and negative developments. While the surprise of good news and happy events is not a problem, we need to put in extra effort to control the stress we experience when we encounter something negative. But the sooner we know this, the better. The same is true for our children. “Wood bends when it gets wet.” We need to support our children without wasting time so they can develop healthy coping skills by following the proverb. We can take steps to help our children express themselves, calm down, and identify their feelings so they can deal with situations that can cause a lot of stress, such as tantrums, moments of failure, uncertainty, disappointment. Here are 5 simple yet effective skills to help kids deal with stress:

1. Learn to breathe deeply

Breathing exercises are one of the most practical and effective ways to relax the body and mind; moreover, regardless of our age… You can teach your child who has difficulty coping with stress that he or she can use breathing techniques to calm down. You can turn it into a game, keep track of the time and take deep breaths in sync. In this way, you will help him calm down a little with each breath. What’s more, if you’ve been in an emotionally difficult situation for you, taking deep breaths can also help you feel better.

2. Encourage creativity

If you haven’t heard Reggio Emilia’s poem “100 Languages ​​of a Child”, one of the first names that comes to mind when it comes to early childhood education, a short excerpt from the poem may change your mind: “A child is made up of 100. A child has 100 languages, 100 hands, 100 ideas, 100 ways to think, play and speak.” So you can turn to art as a Reggio Emilia-inspired stress management tool that draws attention to the many ways children choose to express themselves. Sometimes words are not enough; so that you can offer your child a variety of artistic means for self-expression; Pictures, letters, dramas, games, stories, and similar tools can help your child share their thoughts and feelings.

3. Name the emotion

Introduce; Don’t we feel weird when we can’t name the feelings we feel? The same applies to children. Labeling what children are feeling can help reduce the discomfort and uncertainty of strong and complex emotions. Helping them develop words to describe their feelings is the first step to managing them and expressing them in a healthy way. In this regard, storybooks, characters your children love, and art tools can help you come up with clearer definitions.

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4. Practice a positive inner voice

The more negatively we talk to ourselves, the more likely we are to feel bad about ourselves, and the more we worry, the more stressed we become. Unfortunately, this also applies to young children. Teach your child to speak constructively about themselves, as if they were talking to a friend or loved one, as this can help develop a more positive inner voice. Positive sentences your child will say to themselves can help them relax, especially during temper tantrums or during unsuccessful attempts to reduce the stress they are experiencing.

5. Create a soothing set

Take a small bag and fill it with items that stimulate the senses. It could be a picture that makes him happy, it could be a fun toy, a stress ball, or something else your child likes or wants. This way, they know that whenever they feel overwhelmed, they can immediately reach for a calming kit that helps them become more aware and recognize their emotions.

On top of all this, don’t forget that you need to stay calm in order for your child to deal with stress. The better you lead by example, the more successfully he will be able to control himself and learn to cope with stress.

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