It’s very likely that most people will laugh it off whenever you tell them that my 6-year-old son or daughter is stressed. You can’t blame them, after all, what’s there for a child to get stressed or deal with anxiety? 

But, the truth of the matter is, kids do get stressed, and even more so if they’re in school where they have to constantly deal with studies, exams, pressure to do better academically, bullies (yes, they are there!), and now social media. All these have made childhood more stressful than ever before in modern times. 

 But how can you tell that your child is having a hard time dealing with stress? 

Recognising the Signs: Is Your Child Stressed?

Some of the telltale signs of your child suffering from stress are irritability, anger, bad moods, and an inability to relax or concentrate. Your kids may also have difficulty sleeping or shift their sleep patterns, with some sleeping too much or too little. Their appetite will change, and you’ll find they’re getting sick too often. Furthermore, your kid might withdraw from activities they once enjoyed, like playing outside, and will be less interested in doing homework or chores. Socially, they may avoid talking with other kids, avoid socialising with family members, or cling excessively to their parents. 

Children facing high levels of stress and anxiety will face a lot of mental and physical health issues, which will affect their academic performance in the classroom. 

However, there is a way to address this. If your child is prepping for tests or exams, or you just want to improve his or her learning performance, you can do that without making the situation more stressful. 

Here are five tips to get you started.

Listen attentively

First things, first. Like adults, your child has feelings, too. Whenever you find them distressed, distracted, or anxious, talk to them. Encourage them to share their feelings. Be patient and listen carefully. Don’t make any comments or conclusions. Resist the urge to interrupt. Instead, ask open-ended questions like, “How did that make you feel?” or “Then what happened next?” This approach will make them feel at ease, allowing you to understand what’s really on their mind. 

Get organized

Staying organised is one of the most effective ways to help your child manage stress during the school year. Let’s be honest—kids are messy and tend to have their books, assignments, and supplies all over the place. Make sure all school materials—books, supplies, and homework—are kept in one designated spot, so they can find them whenever they want. Create a study schedule together and stick to it. A personaled home tuition programe from home tuition agencies like SmileTutor plan can help your child stay organised and stress-free with tailored study schedules and a dedicated learning space for all their materials. 

Take short breaks

Studying for long stretches can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. Encourage your child to take short breaks; it doesn’t have to be an hour. About 10 minutes every hour or 30 minutes after a couple of hours, whatever suits them. Tell them to stretch, take a walk outside in your backyard, play with a pet (if you’ve one), toss a ball back and forth, watch TV, or simply relax. You can also enjoy snacks like half a cup of a sugar-free drink, water, or give them their favourite beverage. The goal is to get their muscles and joints moving while having a little fun.

These short breaks help them recharge and stay focused when they return to their studies. 

Ensure a supportive atmosphere

The space where your child studies plays a big role in their ability to focus and stay calm. A noisy, poorly-lit, cramped, and cluttered space will make your child distracted and restless. Make sure your child’s study area is well-lit, organised, adequately spacious, and his or her table has enough room to keep the study materials. Keep distractive elements like TV and phones out of the room until break time. 

Encourage and teach them coping skills

Children like to be motivated and encouraged. Your encouragement will mean the world to them. If they fail a test or don’t get good grades, don’t blame them. Instead, praise your child’s efforts. Tell them that when you were their age, you also failed a test and struggled in the classroom. This will boost their confidence and ease their anxiety. Also, teach them how to calm themselves whenever they feel overwhelmed. Simple techniques like deep breathing work great in these situations. 

Nobody enjoys feeling overwhelmed, especially students during exam season. As a parent, these steps can help your child learn better with less stress during this busy time.