STUDENTS EXPERIENCING STRESS
Teachers are a very important part of keeping a healthy environment for students to learn and grow. avoiding students who display signs of stress absolutely does not help in any way. Teachers play an important role in guiding students suffering from stress to professionals in the building who can assist them. Teachers can assist students who are showing stress by providing emotional support, promoting positive peer relationships, and connect students with other professionals in the school who may offer helpful resources. WHAT IS STRESS? Stress is the body's emotional, physical, or behavioral response to environmental change. Stress can be a short term reaction in response to upcoming events like exams, homework, or giving a speech. Stress can also result from traumatic or ongoing experiences, such as coping with a parents divorce, violence, and Medical emergencies. Some amount of stress can actually benefit a student by motivating them to perform better. Too much stress can be very harmful, even if it is associated with setting up for positive events like academics, sports, and or going to college. Left unnoticed, The negative effects of stress can disrupt a student's behavior, Physical and emotional well being, school success and friendships.
HOW MIGHT STRESS BE EXPRESSED BY STUDENTS IN SCHOOL?
No matter the age, any student can show the signs of excessive stress as described below. However Some signs are more common at certain ages. What a teacher might perceive as a minimal stress or even positive stressors may not be viewed similarly by the student. Avoid making judgments about how much stress the student should be able to handle. Pre-K and kindergarten students may complain of stomach or headaches, experience incontinence, become clingier, or start habits like hair twirling or thumb-sucking. • Elementary students may cry easily, take frequent trips to the bathroom or school nurse, have difficulty staying in their seats, or become irritable. On the one hand, some students may become angry, oppositional, or defiant and have disruptive outbursts. On the other hand, some students may laugh excessively. • Middle school students may express worry, show anxiety, or feel isolated or lonely. On the one hand, some students may become angry, oppositional, or defiant and have disruptive outbursts. On the other hand, some students may laugh excessively. • High school students may isolate themselves, give up easily when frustrated, react with strong emotions or adopt new and negative coping mechanisms. What is stressful to one student may not be equally stressful to another.
WHAT CAN TEACHERS DO TO HELP
Listen, express understanding and (if appropriate) concern, and offer help. For ASSISTING STRESSED STUDENTS example, “I notice you seem a bit stressed (or worried or distracted) lately. Is there something I can help you work through?” Offer ways for students to cope. A “peace area” in your room where students can quietly reflect or engage in calming activities can help. Young students may enjoy tactile activities (e.g., Zen Garden, calming jar, Buddha Board, blowing a pinwheel). Older students may respond well to writing in a journal or meditating. Speak to the student privately (but with the door open if you are in a physical space). Remind students you care about their academic and social success. For example, “I care about you, and I know the great work you’re capable of.” Be mindful not to exacerbate their stress if it appears to be related to academic performance. Ignore or avoid the student and the issue. Confer with colleagues who also work closely with the student. This may reveal a fuller picture of the issue and help determine if the behaviors are persistent in other classes, between classes, or during extra-curricular activities as well. Continue to monitor the student. If they continue to demonstrate stress-based behaviors for an extended period of time, or the behaviors reemerge after seeming to have abated, consult with the school counselor regarding introducing stronger support resource opportunities.
RESOURCES • KidsHealth in the Classroom (bit.ly/3AQ9y6A) • 6 Simple Ways To Reduce Student Stress In The Classroom (bit.ly/3CX51Bc) • Take the Time: Mindfulness for Kids (apa.org/pubs/magination/441B056) Peace Areas • Peace Corner: Creating Safe Space for Reflection (youtube.com/watch?v=dxBv1w4SQyw) • Creating a Peace Place (bit.ly/2OyG7NI) Child Development • How Kids Experience Stress (bit.ly/3yUF2YC) • The Science of Childcare Social Emotional Development (bit.ly/3AUcu1W) Related Mental Health Primers Low Self-Compassion and Perceived Competence, Crisis, Sadness American Psychological Association
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