Stress is a word that we hear all the time, but does it really exist? We assume it’s something that only happens when we’re working long hours or encountering difficult life events. But in reality, stress can be caused by our daily routine at home, preschooler activities like playdates and school schedule changes like most teacher directed preschool programs stress. Let’s talk about the ten most common habits your preschoolers might exhibit when they experience stress:
1) Acting out at their peers:
Those mini-angry teenagers have some nerve! If your preschooler suddenly gets aggressive with other kids around them, then they may be experiencing feelings of stress. Children who think they are being bullied (even if they are not) are more likely to experience stress. This can happen when your preschooler assumes the other kid is being mean simply because of their clothes, a friend’s new haircut, or an event that happened at school that upset them.
2) Crying frequently:
If your preschooler is crying a lot every day, you know it isn’t just because they don’t want to go home or because they have been fighting with their siblings. The truth is, these kids are having a tough time processing the things in their life and they need more support than ever before.
3) Avoiding their friends:
When preschoolers become more and more stressed, they may try to avoid their friends by staying away from playdates or by choosing not to go to school at all. The problem is, they are just going to get more upset when they don’t have time with their friends. Preschoolers are very social, so if your child is suddenly refusing to play with others or always running to you when another child comes over — then this is a clear indicator that something isn’t right.
4) Insomnia and/or nightmares:
If your preschooler is having a hard time sleeping at night, it’s time for you to step in. The last thing they need when they wake up at 3am crying their eyes out because of nightmares is to feel guilty because they woke up everyone else. Children can be soothed with the right words and even some warm milk before bedtime.
5) Excessive tantrums:
If your preschooler throws a fit over something minor, or even if they seem to be growing more and more upset over the same things, it’s time to pay attention. Even though these are funny at the moment, they will only get worse as they get older. Plus they may develop bad habits that make it harder for them to handle life later on.
6) Poor hygiene:
If your child prays that his hands and face are clean before school all day long, then this might be a clue that he is stressed out about something. This can be caused by biological reasons or because of social pressures and expectations put on our kids every day at school.
7) Avoiding eye contact:
If your preschooler is avoiding eye contact even with you, then they are sure not to be meeting anyone new today. This is a telltale sign that something is happening that your child needs to talk about. If they refuse to talk, then it’s time to get help and see a therapist.
8) Increased appetite:
One of the most obvious signs of stress is a picky eating habit. Maybe they are not eating because they don’t like what’s being served at home or because their stomach hurts from stress. Either way, if your child is eating more than usual, it’s time to get them some help.
9) Verbal or physical abuse:
If your preschooler is hitting or kicking other kids and getting away with it, then they could be suffering from stress. It can be hard to tell if these types of behaviors are normal for their age or due to stress like anxiety. But whatever the reason, you need to find out what is happening so that you can help them and yourself.
10) Bedwetting:
If your child is wetting the bed, then there are probably a few things going on. Perhaps they have just had enough of being home alone at night and they’re feeling overwhelmed. But more than likely, there is a physical cause (like a urinary tract infection or bladder control issues). If your child was never potty trained and suddenly starts peeing at night without breaking her clothes — then this could be a sign of stress. You need to see a pediatrician to help you figure out the culprit.
Summary:
Sometimes stress is caused by social situations, but it can also be caused by environmental factors such as moving or not being able to go on vacation. If your child shows signs of stress, then you have to take action and remove them from the situation. This will be hard at first, but they’ll quickly learn that they can rely on you to get them out of sticky situations and take care of their needs. In time they’ll learn how to manage their stress and emotions better than ever before.
