Newsletter
RAINBOW DAYCARE NEWSLETTER
Summer 2016
Inside this Issue
Sources of Stress in Children
Stress and Childcare Providers
A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF RAINBOW DAY CARE
Welcome to the Summer Issue of the RAINBOW DAYCARE NEWSLETTER.
As all of you know, the primary purpose of this newsletter is to provide practical and useful information for parents, childcare providers and teachers about relevant topics on child development. This issue is devoted to children and stress. We hope you will find the feature stories useful and practical.
Sources of Stress in Children
Contrary to popular belief that children live a worry-free existence unlike adults who have to worry about paying bills, holding a job and being good parents, children have many reasons to experience stress. In modern societies children are experiencing increasing levels of stress at younger ages. Tennant (2005) states that even in the womb a child detects the mother’s stress from chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormone) in the placenta. Preschoolers may feel anxious when they are separated from their parents. Even temporary separation from a familiar and beloved teacher or care giver can inflict high levels of stress in young children. In addition, stress from young children may come from disrupted homes, both parents holding jobs, increase exposure to violence, both real and on T.V and from behavioral expectations beyond their ability (Tennant, 2005). One important discovery discussed by Berger (2014), is that of accumulated stress over time, including minor ones known as daily hassles. These may include unmet physical needs. Accumulated stress is potentially more devastating than an isolated major stress event.
Older children may feel stress from academic and social pressures, especially as they attempt to fit in with their social group. Besides worrying about issues in their own lives, children may feel stressed out by home events they learn about: If your children hear you talking about a relative’s illness or about financial problems, they will also worry about your problems. World news and terrorism are important causes of stress in children. News media are replete with stories about natural disasters, and even school shootings. Parents need to spend time with their children discussing these events and helping them cope with what they see by trying to foster a sense of security. Death in the family and a divorce are additional stressors that should be addressed. Since even the friendliest of divorces can be traumatic for a child, parents should avoid forcing children to choose sides. (KidsHealth, 2015; Tomlin, 2008).
There is often an incongruity between what children say they are worried about and what their parents think it is causing them stress Munsey, 2010). This gap could have long-term implications for children’s mental and physical health. Munsey reports the findings of a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) according to which children ages 8 to 17 say they worry about doing well in school, their family’s finances and being accepted at a good college. They also report suffering from headaches, insomnia and stomachaches. Nevertheless, the survey reports that these findings go mostly unnoticed by parents. More than one in three children report having headaches in the past month, but only 13 % of parents believe their children have headaches as a result of stress. Furthermore, while 44% of children report having sleeping difficulties, only 13% of parents think their kids have difficulty sleeping. In addition, almost 30% of children expressed concerns about their families’ financial troubles, but just 18% of parents thought this was an issue of concern for their children. These findings are disturbing because chronic stress that is left untreated can lead to psychological problems. It is important for parents to let their children know that they are available to discuss whatever problems cause them to worry.
What are the symptoms of stress? It is not easy to detect stress in children, but such behavioral changes as mood swings, changes in sleep patterns and bed wetting can be signs of stress in children. Some children experience physical symptoms such as stomachaches, and headaches, while others may have trouble concentrating or completing school work. Other children may simply withdraw and spend a lot of time by themselves.
How can you help your children cope with stress? Proper rest and good nutrition help children cope with stress. Parents can also help by making themselves available for their children. This may mean either talking to them directly about their worries or simply being with them in the same room. Remember that some level of stress is normal. So let your children know that it is OK to feel scared, angry and lonely (KidsHealth, 2015; Tomlin, 2008).
Stress Symptoms and Management Techniques for Childcare Providers
If despite loving your work with children you find yourself exhausted and feeling unappreciated, you might be suffering from occupational stress. If you recognize one or more of the following causes of stress in your current job, it is time to stop and look for ways to reestablish a healthy balance between your professional and personal life.
Tensions with parents, coworkers and/or administrators
Too many duties and not enough time to complete them.
You have become intolerant to the normal noise level of the classroom.
You are overburdened by the individual needs of so many children.
You feel frustrated over limited budget and resources.
You find it difficult to work with stressed children.
It is important to address these signs of stress as quickly as possible, as a stressed out care giver may unintentionally transmit negative energy generated from her own stress to the children under her care, not to mention burnout which may lead to decreased quality care and eventual departure from the job. (Martin, J. Stress management for childcare providers).
Some strategies for managing stress include:
Eat healthy. Nutritious foods help the immune system work properly and combats the toll that stress takes on your body.
Exercise regularly. Exercising at least three times a week can relax your mind and body. Swimming, walking and yoga are among the best types of exercise you might try.
Take short breaks. Periodic breaks where you stretch, breathe or simply get a change of scenery are helpful in reinvigorating your body and mind.
Create a calm classroom environment. When children receive sensory experiences that help reduce the stress they bring from home or from being separated from their parents, they get the peace of mind they need to engage in productive classroom activities. Once children are calm you are better able to give the nurturing care they need and in the process you will gain peace of mind (Martin, J. Stress management for childcare providers).
References
Berger, K. S. (2014). The developing person through the life span. (9th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. Retrieved from http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/Keeping%20Fit%20for%20Learning/stress.html
Childhood stress. (2015). KidsHealth. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/stress.html#
Martin, J. (n.d.). Stress management for childcare providers. ChildCare Education Institute Newsletter, 5 (2). Retrieved from https://www.cceionline.com/newsletters/February_10.html
Munsey, C. (2010). The kids aren’t all right. American Psychological Association. 41 (1). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/01/stress-kids.aspx
Tennant, V. (2005). The powerful impact of stress. New Horizons for Learning. Johns Hopkins School of Education. Retrieved from
http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/Keeping%20Fit%20for%20Learning/stress.html
Tomlin, C. R. (2008). Childhood stress: how adults can help. Earlychildhood News. The Professional Resource for Teachers and Parents. Retrieved from
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleId=442
