How can I minimize my child’s stress levels?

Stress plays a natural role in every young person’s life. It builds their resilience and teaches them about how the world works. It’s only when stress becomes constant that it’s problematic.

The one thing every child needs in the face of overwhelming noise is simplicity.

When kids are exposed to a hectic pace of life and inundated with stimuli, it can negatively impact their behavior by making them hyper-vigilant or controlling. This is known as cumulative stress reaction (CSR).

Keep the size of your child’s toy collection lean. Having too much choice can make them demanding and stunt their imagination. They need room to explore and grow at their own natural pace.

Establish a daily rhythm for the entire family. Children need a predictable structure in order to focus and learn. The repetition of set times creates a feeling of security free from distractions.

It may seem like kids love surprises, but giving them little ‘previews’ of what to expect on any given day is hugely beneficial. This creates a reliable sense of transparency.

Strike the right balance between organized activities and downtime. It can be tempting to enroll your child in as many activities as possible. But a packed schedule (even if fun) hampers creative play, limiting opportunities to learn and grow.

Reduce the number of screens in your home. This creates a buffer between your child and the adult world – full of intense information and anxiety – that protects their wellbeing.

There are no developmental benefits to watching TV. In fact, research has shown that children under the age of two should not watch television at all. Neurologists have found that kids of this age need genuine interactions to optimally develop their brains.

Bottom line: the key to reducing stress in children is to simplify their daily life. Keep a predictable, balanced schedule so they can learn more. Declutter their environment so their imagination can thrive. Cut back on screen time so they can flourish at their own pace.