Since children are still developing, they likely have fewer coping skills than adults. If they experience stress, they may show signs even though they may not be able to verbalize what they’re feeling. As a parent, here are signs that your child may be experiencing too much stress at school and what you can do to help them.

The signs of school-related stress in kids

While some kids may show the same signs of stress as an adult - such as anxiousness and sweating - others may show physical and emotional signs that are sudden and not typical for them:

• Have consistent problems sleeping or have nightmares
• Frequent stomach aches and headaches
• Show a loss of appetite - even for their favourite foods
• Seem withdrawn or become less talkative
• Are angrier or crankier than usual
• Show aggressive behaviour
• Start dressing differently or stop caring about their hygiene
• Revert back to behaviour they have already outgrown (such as thumb sucking or bedwetting)

How to help your kids

Fortunately, there are ways you can help your kids cope with the stress they feel - either real or imagined.

• Communicate openly with them. Run through a typical day of school with your child and try to find out about your child's greatest fears and anxieties and address these concerns openly and honestly.
• Talk to the teacher. Speak to their teacher to find out if they're showing the same signs at school. At times, a teacher can provide valuable insights into problematic relationships with classmates, problems keeping alert during the school day, or if they are overly competitive. All of these can be causes of stress.
• Exercise with them. Getting fresh air and exercise are well-known stress relievers. Help your child de-stress with physical activity — whether it’s playing with the dog, hitting the park for active play or taking a bike ride around the neighbourhood.
• Stick to a routine. Children feel more secure when they stick to a schedule. Try to be consistent with how their days are structured, from wake up to bedtime. And give them advance notice of a change in schedule since some kids feel anxious when the day doesn't go as expected.
• Get mellow. If your family is always on the go, enjoy some down time with your kids. Give them a soothing and relaxing bath or massage, enjoy soft music together, or simply cuddle on a comfy chair in dimly lit room.