Teaching Children to Cope with Stress

Author Linda Lantieri (of Building Emotional Intelligence) has developed a curriculum to help children cope with stress in a healthy and productive manner. The following exercises are recommended for children 5 years of age and older.

1. Check in - help your child recognize some of the signs of stress (tense muscles, fast breathing, upset stomach, jumpiness, etc.) as a step in teaching them how to release it.


2. Make room for silence - try to make silent breaks a part of your daily routine. It could simply be a few minutes at the beginning or end of a car ride or before a meal. Then ask your child(ren) what they hear, see or feel during the quiet time.


3. Create a peace corner - this should be a special area where the child can go to be quiet. The space can include calming elements, such as chimes, a coloring book or journal, peaceful pictures or quiet instrumental music.


4. Honor nature - being out in nature connects us to "a sense of something larger than ourselves and lets us disengage from day-to-day preoccupations."

Source: Natural Solutions