Stress Triggers
A big test, a math quiz, or a messy report card.
What is school/academics?
The most common "fake" illness kids complain about before a stressful event, usually felt in the tummy.
What is a stomachache?
A sudden "explosion" or meltdown over something tiny, like dropping a pencil, often caused by bottled-up stress.
What is irritability or anger outbursts?
A breathing exercise where you pretend to smell a flower and blow out a birthday candle.
What is deep breathing?
"Myth or Fact: Young children and toddlers don't experience stress because they don't have jobs or bills."
What is a Myth? (Children feel stress based on their own world, like separation anxiety or sensory overload).
Moving to a brand new house or starting at a brand new school.
What are big life changes?
This physical reaction can make your heart feel like it's racing or pounding like a drum.
What is a fast heartbeat?
When a stressed child acts much younger than they are, like throwing tantrums or wanting a pacifier again.
What is regression?
Running, dancing, or riding a bike to release "happy chemicals" called endorphins in the brain.
What is exercise/physical activity?
"Myth or Fact: Some stress can actually be good for you, like giving you energy to finish a big project."
What is a Fact? (This is called "eustress" or positive stress).
Arguing with a best friend or feeling left out at recess.
What are social/peer problems?
A nighttime habit where a child tightly presses their upper and lower teeth together, often caused by stress.
What is teeth grinding?
The feeling of constant worry that something bad is about to happen.
What is anxiety?
Squeezing a squishy toy, molding playdough, or coloring a picture to distract the brain.
What are tactile/sensory activities?
"Myth or Fact: If you ignore a child's stress, it will always just go away on its own."
What is a Myth? (Ignored stress can build up into chronic anxiety or physical illness).
Having a schedule packed with soccer, piano, tutoring, and scouts all in one week with no time to play.
What is being overscheduled?
Having trouble falling asleep, waking up from nightmares, or wanting to sleep all day long.
What are sleep disturbances?
When a normally social child starts hiding in their room and avoiding family dinners or friends.
What is social withdrawal?
The act of writing down or drawing your stressful thoughts in a private book to get them out of your head.
What is journaling?
"Myth or Fact: Kids often express stress through physical complaints like headaches rather than saying 'I am stressed.'"
What is a Fact? (Kids often lack the emotional vocabulary to name stress).
Overhearing parents argue about money or seeing scary things on the evening news.
What is adult/environmental stress?
The involuntary muscle reaction in the shoulders and neck when a child feels cornered or anxious.
What is muscle tension?
The cognitive symptom of stress that makes it really hard for a kid to finish their homework or listen to instructions.
What is trouble concentrating?
A strategy where you tense up your toes for 5 seconds and then completely let them go goop, working your way up your body.
What is Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)?
"Myth or Fact: Screen time (like video games and tablets) is the absolute best way for a stressed kid to calm down long-term."
What is a Myth? (While it is a distraction, too much screen time can actually increase cortisol and disrupt sleep, making stress worse)