Health Issues in Young Children: Stress

1. Health Issues in Young Children: Stress Created by: Tuong-Vi Cecilia Mai

2. What is stress for a young child? • Jewett, J., & Peterson, K. (n.d.). Stress and Young Children. At Health Mental Health. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.athealth.com/consumer/disorders/childstress.html • Soulliere, J. (2010, August 16). Top 10 health concerns for kids; Obesity, stress, teen pregnancy worsening | University of Michigan Health System. UMHS: File Not Found. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/details.cfm?ID=1682 • Acute stress – “Sudden, intense onset and then the subsidence of stressful stimuli.” • Loved one becoming ill • Chronic stress – Prolonged stress • Separation anxiety from loved one • Death in the family • Extended amounts of stress on a child can result in behavioral issues • “Children’s stress moved from 8th on the top 10 list in 2009 to fifth in 2010.”

3. Causes of Stress in Young Children • Childhood Stress . (n.d.). KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/stress.html# • Eugene. (2011, August 23). Health Information - Identifying Signs of Stress in Children and Teens | Word Press. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://blog.find-healthy-food.com/depression-2/identifying-signs-of-stress-in-children-and-teens.html • Ravi, T. (2009, January 30). Health Watch. Childhood Stress And Stress Management | Word Press. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/Childhood-Stress-And-Stress-Management-Tips-46920-1.htm • Family • Arguing at home • Financial situation, poverty • Illness or death of a loved one • Separation or divorce • Friends • Social pressure • Conflict or fight with friends • School • Academic standing • Extracurricular activities • Bullying • World news • War • Natural disasters • Terrorism • Violence in the community • Emotional • Anxiety • Low self-esteem, feeling inadequate • Neglect • Abuse

4. Signs & Symptoms of Childhood Stress • Childhood Stress . (n.d.). KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/stress.html# • Ravi, T. (2009, January 30). Health Watch. Childhood Stress And Stress Management | Word Press. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/Childhood-Stress-And-Stress-Management-Tips-46920-1.htm • Headaches • Stomach Aches • Bed wetting • Temper tantrums • Emotional withdrawal/sudden changes in behavior • Irritability/crying for no reason • Hair chewing • Thumb sucking • Fingernail biting • Inability to sleep • Rocking • Depression • Cold or sweaty hands • Anxiety • Teeth grinding • Nervousness

5. Stress Management • Taking care of themselves • Adequate amount of sleep • Healthy eating habits • Exercising • Find fun activities to do • Coping skills • Relaxation techniques • Talk about the cause of it • Prepare for stressful situations • Teach child to recognize, accept, and express their feelings in an acceptable manner • Have a support group of friends and family • Take time to talk/listen to them • Reassurance • Don’t compare them to other children • Be patient Eugene. (2011, August 23). Health Information - Identifying Signs of Stress in Children and Teens | Word Press. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://blog.find-healthy-food.com/depression-2/identifying-signs-of-stress-in-children-and-teens.html Jewett, J., & Peterson, K. (n.d.). Stress and Young Children. At Health Mental Health. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.athealth.com/consumer/disorders/childstress.html Writer. (n.d.). The Top 10 Health Concerns for Children - and How to Treat Them. adolescent mood disorders - depression in teenagers - depressed teens. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.adolescent-mood-disorders.com/AMD/top-10-health-concerns-for-children-and-how-to-treat-them.htm

6. Implications on Education • Talk to your students about their day and find out how you can help them cope with stress • Listen to your students • If there is a family situation, talk to the parents/guardians of the child to find ways to help • Have the child work on activities that gets their mind off their stress • Be understanding if the child is absent due to illness or death in the family • Teach them to eat healthy • Exercise and allow children to be active and move around in class

7. References Childhood Stress . (n.d.). KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/stress.html# Eugene. (2011, August 23). Health Information - Identifying Signs of Stress in Children and Teens | Word Press. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://blog.find-healthy-food.com/depression-2/identifying-signs-of-stress-in-children-and-teens.html Jewett, J., & Peterson, K. (n.d.). Stress and Young Children. At Health Mental Health. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.athealth.com/consumer/disorders/childstress.html Marotz, L. R. (2009). Health, safety, and nutrition for the young child (7th ed.). Australia: Thomson Delmar Learning. Ravi, T. (2009, January 30). Health Watch. Childhood Stress And Stress Management | Word Press. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/Childhood-Stress-And-Stress-Management-Tips-46920-1.htm Soulliere, J. (2010, August 16). Top 10 health concerns for kids; Obesity, stress, teen pregnancy worsening | University of Michigan Health System. UMHS: File Not Found. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/details.cfm?ID=1682 Writer. (n.d.). The Top 10 Health Concerns for Children - and How to Treat Them. adolescent mood disorders - depression in teenagers - depressed teens. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.adolescent-mood-disorders.com/AMD/top-10-health-concerns-for-children-and-how-to-treat-them.htm