CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP CALENDAR

Is Stress Different for Children Than For Adults? Situations that cause stress in children are often not unlike situations that cause stress in adults. The main difference is that adults usually have greater control over the situation that causes the stress. In fact stress experienced by a child can be caused by the stress felt by a parent or teacher. Furthermore, a child would not have the same emotionall development and reasoning abilities as an adult. While the "pain" may be no less intense than an adult, a child may not be able to understand it at the same level. Children do not have the same ability to understand a cause or time sequence of events that an adult does. Stressors By Grade Level Kindergarten: Fear of abandonment, toileting concerns, fear of punishment or reprimand by the teacher. First Grade: Fear of riding the bus, toileting concerns, teacher disapproval, ridicule by other students, first report card, not going on to second grade. Second Grade: Missing a parent or sharing him/her with a sibling, fear of not being able to understand, not being asked to help the teacher, fear of being disciplined, fear of being different in dress or appearance. Third Grade: Being chosen last on a team, parent conference, peer or teacher disapproval, test anxiety, not enough time to complete assignment, staying after school. Fourth Grade: Being chosen last, peer disapproval of clothing or appearance, friends not choosing them to share secrets, student ridicule, not being liked by the teacher. Fifth Grade: Being chosen last, losing a best friend, fear of not being able to complete work, peer disapproval, fear of not being a sixth grader next year. Sixth Grade: Being chosen last, fear concerning sexuality, fear of not going to junior high, fear of disapproval of appearance, fear of being unpopular. From: Teaching Children About Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach. E. Weinstein & E. Rosen (eds.) Morton Publishing Company (1999). Helping Children Relax Relaxation can channel a child's excess energy and help overcome stress that can be caused by time spent in non-directive activities, or other unproductive activities. A description of some of the common techniques used in relaxation are provided here: Physical Activities: Daily exercise and physical activity can be an excellent stress reliever. For additional information click here - PA & Stress Meditation: This may be the oldest form of relaxation. It can reduce heart rate and blood pressure, and help to clear the mind. Progressive Muscle Relaxation: By systematically tensing and relaxing groups of muscles the symptoms of stress can be alleviated. Click this link for more information. Deep Breathing: Breathing exercises can be an effective way to relieve stress and are commonly used in conjunction with meditation techniques. More information can be found here - Breathing Some Ideas For Parents • Talk with children about their feelings and concerns. • Don't over schedule the child. • Be honest with the child about what is going on. • Teach the child relaxation exercises to use when he feels tense. • Set aside a special time for you and your child. • Create a sense of belonging and companionship for the child. • Set clear and consistent limits for the child's behavior. • Love, hug and be direct with the child. • Help children to use their imagination to think positively. • Make sure children eat a nutritious meal, get plenty of exercise, and have a good night's sleep.

Miscellaneous

It's a small (stressful) world by Jennifer Reid Holman Where Does Children's Stress Come From? A child's age seems to be the greatest predictor of what triggers problematic stress.

Children & Stress Sometimes I try to remember the stresses that I felt as a young child when I see stress in children today. As an adult, I think about how simple things were when I was a child and sometimes long for those times again, even if just for a few moments. As a child however, I most certainly did not think life was simple and stress free. So who experiences stress? Everyone does. The business executive or politician does not have a corner on the stress market. A mother or father, a teacher or student, even an infant experiences stress. It is a condition that affects all people regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or occupation. Often, stress is thought of as a bad thing that should be eliminated from our lives. The fact is, people actually need stress. Good stress can come from situations that make us feel good, are exhilarating, or inspiring. This type of stress often motivates us to accomplish a goal and is called eustress. In contrast to eustress is distress, or what is commonly called stress. Distress, especially if it is chronic, can lead to both physiological and psychological harm. When an adult or child hears a siren, an episode of acute (temporary) stress may occur. When a child is repeatedly scolded, the stress perceived can become chronic and lead to physical and emotional problems. Parents and teachers should be able to recognize stress in children, and know how to use methods to reduce stress in children and students. This issue of Health, Fitness, & Nutrition, will hopefully help is this area. Ron Hager Health and Fitness Section Editor

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Nutrition Resources

Food Guide Pyramid for Kids At this site you will find Food Guide Pyramid posters, in different sizes, for download as PDF files. The files can be viewed or printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. They can be a benefit in teaching children about nutrition. 10 Tips to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity For You A brochure for kids from 9-15 years • Start your day with breakfast • Get Moving! • Snack Smart • Work Up a Sweat • Balance Your Food Choices • Get Fit with Family or Friends • Eat More Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables • Join in Physical Activities at School • Foods Aren't Good or Bad • Make healthy eating & physical activities    fun!

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Nutrition and Stress A child's nutritional state can be a source of stress. Even some food chemicals, like caffeine, can produce hypertension, anxiety, irritability, and an inability to concentrate. Over consumption of sugar can have a similar effect as caffeine. Believe it or not, too little sugar can have a similar effect as too much. It is clear that a balanced diet contributes to stress resistance in both children and adults. A sensible approach to nutrition, like the one detailed in the Food Guide Pyramid link below, can help decrease the amount of stress in your life. Eating a healthful variety of whole grains, breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and dairy and protein foods fortifies your mind and body, making you more resistant to stress buildup. Food Guide Pyramid

Stress Signals

Physical Stress Signals • Dry mouth • Fatigue • Headache • Muscle tension • Rapid heart beat • Stomach upset • Sweaty or moist skin Behavioral Stress Symptoms • Becoming a workaholic • Facial tics, other tics such as leg bouncing, pen tapping, or finger drumming • Isolating/withdrawing from family, friends, community • Lashing out at others/blowing up • Sleep disturbances (unable to fall asleep, toss and turn thinking about problems, wake too early and can't get back to sleep, nightmares) Emotional Stress Signals • Angry more than usual • Crying more easily than usual • Excessive guilt • Feeling empty, spent • Feeling out of control It's important for your health to pay attention to your stress signals. If you notice your signals are getting stronger or new ones are starting to appear, take steps to reduce the level of stress in your life. Unchecked, long-term stress can increase your risk for numerous diseases and health problems.

Little Kids with Big Stress by Anne O'Conner Phyllis Tyson remembers the day "Amy" came into her office with dark circles under her eyes. The 3 and a 1/2 year old girl was on edge and ready to explode. "She would tell her mother, `I hate you,'" says Tyson, a clinical professor in psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. But when Mom got up to leave the room, Amy dissolved into tears. Tyson recognized Amy's problem: She was suffering the everyday wear and tear of stress. Many adults think of childhood as a happy time of stress-free days. But most kids will tell you that stress can make their days miserable - just like adults experience. However, unlike adults, children don't have the experience or wisdom to know that what is stressing them today may not be important by next week. Moreover, they don't have the skills to deal with stress in a productive way. There are two different kinds of stress. One type motivates us. It causes us to explore new things, but the other kind "prevents us from doing things when stress becomes overwhelming. Children experience both kinds." Read the rest of this article.

If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email one of the following Section Editors:

Scott Roberts Andy Jenkins Darren Dale Ron Hager

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