Did you know that April is National Stress Awareness? Several of our staff members have been reading a book called #FullyCharged which addresses the impact of stress on the brain. Neuroimaging has shown that when students are in a state of stress, information is actually blocked from entering the brain. While we understand that stress is a normal experience, there are ways we can help children develop healthy ways to cope.
1. Talk and Listen- Help your child communicate about their stress and listen as they identify their emotions, and triggers.
2. Identify self-management strategies- Help your student identify what helps him or her the most. Maybe listening to music, squeezing a stress ball, standing while working rather than sitting, etc.
3. Nap- the young brain requires 9 to 13 hours of sleep every night until the early 20's.
4. Positive Affirmation- the mind is powerful, so help students start their day in a positive frame of mind. "I won't give up today, my teacher cares about me and wants me to have success etc."
5. Just be there- children can't always put a name on their feelings, so just be there when you notice them struggling. Keep them company and spend time together if possible; take a walk, bake some cookies, watch a movie.
While we can't solve or take away every stressor our children will encounter, we can help them cope when they experience stress.
