Health Issues in Young Children: StressCreated by:Tuong-Vi Cecilia Mai

• 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.”

• 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

What is stress for a young child?

• 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

• 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

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#

• 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

Signs & Symptoms of Childhood Stress

• 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

Stress Management

•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

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

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