Prioritizing mental health is crucial for both adults and children. Kids also face stress and anxiety, which are normal parts of life. According to Samantha Kempker-Margherio, assistant professor of psychology at Virginia Tech, these emotions are essential for keeping us safe. Learning to manage them is a key life skill.
“We can help children and teens manage stress by showing them healthy coping strategies.”
Samantha Kempker-Margherio, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Navigating Emotions
Teaching children to handle both positive and negative emotions is vital. Cindy Smith, professor at Virginia Tech and director of the Children’s Emotions Lab, highlights the need for balance. Parents often encourage positive emotions but discourage negative ones.
“When kids see negative emotions as ‘bad,’ they might avoid expressing them, which leads to more stress.”
Cindy Smith, Director of the Children’s Emotions Lab
Helping children understand and regulate all emotions, whether positive or negative, is crucial for their emotional well-being.
Emotional Awareness
Movies like Inside Out and its sequel offer a better understanding of feeling a wide range of emotions. Rosanna Breaux, director of the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech, emphasises discussing emotions with children.
“Help your child build an emotional vocabulary. Even negative emotions are part of life and can be beneficial.”
— Rosanna Breaux, Director of the Child Study Center
Best Practices for Managing Stress in Children
Kempker-Margherio recommends two main strategies to help children cope with stress and anxiety: developing healthy coping methods and reducing avoidance.
“Parents can model healthy behaviors by showing how they deal with stress, like narrating deep breathing or other coping mechanisms.”
— Samantha Kempker-Margherio
Some effective strategies include:
- Taking deep breaths
- Using sensory activities like holding ice cubes
- Relaxing muscles by tensing and releasing them
- Playing with a pet
- Using positive self-talk (“I made a mistake, but I’ll do better next time.”)
When children avoid things that cause anxiety, like school or ordering food at restaurants, it may reduce anxiety in the short term. However, it can increase anxiety later.
“Encourage small steps to face anxiety and praise their efforts.”
— Samantha Kempker-Margherio
When to Seek Professional Help
Parents should watch for signs that their child may struggle to manage stress:
- Frequent irritability or outbursts
- Trouble sleeping
- Complaints of stomachaches or headaches
- Declining grades
- Constant avoidance
If these signs appear, it might be time to seek help from a mental health professional.
“It’s not just about the emotions themselves but whether they’re causing problems over time.”
— Rosanna Breaux
Smith also noted that parents sometimes need support for their own mental health. This helps them manage the challenges of parenting.
“Supporting parents in their mental health is crucial for their ability to help their children.”
— Cindy Smith
About the Experts
Rosanna Breaux: Assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, director of the Child Study Center, and leader of the CALMER Lab.
Samantha Kempker-Margherio: Assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, affiliated with the Child Study Center, focusing on interventions for adolescents.
Cindy Smith: Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, director of the Children’s Emotions Lab, studying children’s emotional development.
(Newswise)
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