Every parent wants their child to come from school chatting happily and feeling excited about the day they had. Still, this is not something that happens too often. School-related stress is a normal thing and can affect the overall performance of a pupil. Moreover, too much stress can be overwhelming and have negative consequences for cognitive development, health, and sleep. Thus, the issue is critical enough to be addressed timely. Since many parents do not know how to relieve school stress, here are ten effective ways that they can make use of.
1. Reduce the chaos.
The stress of attending school begins right in the morning. When your kid has a hectic one, it will be hard for them to calm down, as this time of the day sets the pace for the rest of it. To reduce the amount of stress your child may get before school, make sure that everything is ready the night before. Teach your kid to pack the bag in the evening, so they have several extra minutes in the morning. You can also indicate the importance of finishing their home tasks in time for the same reason.
2. Let them get enough sleep.
It goes without saying that everyone needs to have enough sleep. More so, children usually require an hour more than adults. With enough sleep, our brains function much better. Being well-rested means that the kid will have an easier time at comprehending new material at classes, thus being less vulnerable to pressure. Moreover, with enough sleep each night, your child will be less irritable and will be at a much better position to cope with stress.
3. Talk to them.
Communication is key. You must teach your child to talk to you about any problems they might have. If they seem frustrated, irritated, distant or stressed, you should find out what’s going on. Is it a particular subject or are they being bullied by their peers? Do they have an upcoming test or are they worried that they are not doing as well as they want? Remember that you don’t have to advise them anything, sometimes the feeling of being loved and cared is enough. If need be, you can start working towards finding a solution together.
4. Do not over-schedule.
A schedule helps your kids remain focused. However, when they are overwhelmed with classes and household duties, they might feel anxiety, which can turn into stress. Your child should always have time to rest. Breaks will help them rework themselves and gather enough strength and courage to deal with any challenges they may face.
5. Practice relaxation techniques.
Relaxation techniques like yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing have been proven to reduce stress for both adults and children. Before you check literature essay samples, you may want to rest a little. These techniques will ensure that the youngster is calmed down and ready to learn. These are good exercises to do, as they improve air and blood circulation.
6. Prioritize.
Sometimes your child will have too much to do including home chores, extracurricular activities, and school. Let your child complete the most important tasks first to teach them to set the right priorities. However, if this happens too often, you should consider that the extracurricular may be taking too much of their time. You may also teach them some time management techniques, for them to avoid an overbooked schedule.
7. Teach them to deal with negative thoughts.
Negative thoughts can have a great impact on your kid’s life. If they keep thinking that something is too difficult and they will never achieve it, they are probably right. Teach them that the pessimistic mindset will never let them fulfill their ambitions. Let them know that the importance of getting rid of such thoughts is a predetermining factor of their future success.
8. Let their goals be realistic.
Let your child set realistic goals, but don’t discourage them from dreaming, too. You can never expect a D student to get an A in just two months. Let them learn to improve gradually, so that they can enjoy each win. No matter how small, each victory is meaningful to their overall goal.
9. Talk to their teacher.
If your child is in constant stress, try talking to their teacher. It will help you get the right information on how they behave in class. With this knowledge, it will be easier for you to find ways to reduce stress and help your child perform better eventually.
Alyssa Johnson is a professional who can help you find out what could be stressing your child. She is trained to assist parents whose kids have specific stress-related issues. A timely intervention will help improve a child’s health, academics, and general well-being.
