VIDEO: Children and Stress

• Six video vignettes on the stress that an elementary aged child faces
• a.) parents ask too much of their children (latchkey kid comes home from school with a long "to do" list that could include anything from laundry to making dinner)
• b.) competition with other students (students feel like they have to keep up to fit in)
• c.) parental frustration taken out on kids ( parents come home and show anger and resentment to children because of a bad day at work instead of showing children love and respect)
• d.) double standards (older child is responsible for a lot more than the younger siblings)
• e.) conflicting expectations between home and school
• f.) special needs (students with special needs have the added stress of peer name calling)

• Never do anything a student can do just as well.  (i.e. running school errands, passing out papers, cleaning)
• Don't take any papers home! (Taking work takes time away from your home life and family.)
• Find alternatives to grading every paper yourself (i.e. have students help)
• Handle each piece of paper right away (i.e. answer your mail right away)
• Make a "to do" list everyday.
• Do the hardest thing early in the day.
• Establish routines that students can carry out without your full direction. (i.e. students arrive and get right to work that is already on their desks.)
• Learn to say no.
• Use "wait time" effectively.
• Become aware of your best internal time and use it wisely.
• Ask yourself " How would things be if I did not do this right now?"
• Plan something each week that excites you.
• Use break periods to restore energy.