Stress in children: signs at different ages and anti-stress games

Unicef named signs of stress for children of different ages. And psychologist Svetlana Roiz shared the games you need to play to help your child overcome stress.

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The war in Ukraine lasts 8 months. And it leaves deep scars in the souls of both adults and children. Air raids, staying in cold basements, moving to another place or even a country, adapting to a foreign school - all this is a lot of stress for our children.
At different ages, it can manifest itself in different ways. Unicef, together with child psychologists and the Center for Public Health, has collected and published typical signs of stress for children of all ages.

Signs of stress in toddlers and preschoolers

1. malice;
2. irritability;
3. uncontrollable crying;
4. trembling with fear;
5. fear of loneliness;
6. anxiety;
7. nutritional problems;
8. return to childish behavior;
9. sleep problems, in particular night terrors.

Signs of Stress in Primary School Children

1. Lack of appetite;
2. nutritional problems;
3. complaints of abdominal pain and headaches;
4. feeling that you are not loved;
5. the need to go to the toilet often;
6. suspiciousness;
7. worries about the future;
8. indifferent attitude to school and friendship;
9. sleep problems.

Signs of stress in children 10-12 years old and adolescents

1. Low self-esteem;
2. regular headache and stomach pain;
3. loss of illusions;
4. anger;
5. distrust of the whole world;
6. rebellious behavior.

Games to help relieve stress

During stress, the hormone adrenaline is released. Its main antagonist is the hormone oxytocin. It stands out beautifully during hugs. Therefore, psychologists advise hugging your children at least 8 times a day. But you don't have to limit yourself to hugs. Psychologist Svetlana Roiz has prepared a selection of body games for children that will help increase oxytocin levels and reduce their stress levels.

With this game, you should start every morning of the child. We touch different parts of the body, saying the words (kissing): "Good morning, nose! Good morning, cheeks! Good morning, ears! Good morning, neck! Good morning, shoulders (etc.)". You have to go all over your body like this. And then knead it like dough or plasticine.
"Kolobok". First, you need to "fall asleep" flour, walk with light movements all over the body, then "pour" water - stroking movements. “We make dough”, and then we make a “bun”: the child sits, hugging himself with his arms. And we hug him behind the back. We open our hands - "the bun is baked."
"Kisses". We kiss the forehead or cheek so that the kiss sequence forms a shape: square, triangular, or oval. You can also dream up with your child what color the kiss is: "I'm kissing you now with a yellow kiss, raspberry, rainbow, etc."
"Grandfather, where are you?" And we continue: "Do not freeze (cheeks, nose, ass, tummy, legs ...) for us." An adult says words and touches some parts of the body. Children also call and touch her. You need to walk all over your body like this.
"Orangutan". You need to knock with a cry of "I-I-I-I" myself on the chest, like a monkey.