How to comfort a child who is under too much pressure

When children are under excessive pressure, parents can help alleviate it through emotional support, adjusting expectations, cultivating interests, establishing a regular schedule, and guiding expression. Stress may be caused by factors such as academic burden, social difficulties, family environment, high self demands, and external evaluations.

1. Emotional support

Provide children with unconditional acceptance and hugs, avoiding the use of comparison or criticism to increase psychological burden. When a child is feeling down, parents can actively listen and repeat their child's feelings, such as saying that it sounds like something is really frustrating. Use encouraging language in daily life, emphasizing the process of effort rather than the outcome.

2. Adjust Expectations

Negotiate learning goals based on the child's actual abilities and break down large tasks into small steps to complete. Communicate with teachers to understand the actual academic level and avoid excessive use of rest time in extracurricular classes. Allow children to have autonomy in non principled matters, such as whether to play or do homework in the afternoon.

3. Cultivate Interest

Schedule at least half an hour of child led play time every day, such as building blocks, doodling, and other relaxing activities. Parents and children can engage in outdoor activities on weekends, and exposure to nature can lower stress hormone levels. Pay attention to observing the projects that children truly love, rather than the talent classes arranged unilaterally by parents.

4. Regular sleep schedule

Fixed bedtime and wake-up times, school aged children need to ensure at least 9 hours of sleep. Avoid high sugar and high oil foods for dinner, and stop using electronic devices one hour before bedtime. Establishing bedtime rituals such as parent-child reading can help the nervous system transition from an excited state to a resting state.

5. Guide expression

Through role-playing or drawing, allow children to release emotions in nonverbal forms. Teach simple emotional vocabulary such as disappointment and anxiety to enhance emotional cognitive ability. When children take the initiative to communicate, parents should pause the task at hand and maintain eye contact to avoid rushing to provide a solution. Long term stress may affect children's growth and development, and parents should pay attention to signals such as decreased appetite, sleep disorders, and repeated physical discomfort. Regular family meetings can be held to discuss sources of stress and jointly develop improvement plans. If there is persistent low mood or refusal to attend school, it is recommended to seek professional psychological support. Create a relaxed and pleasant family atmosphere in daily life to avoid transmitting the anxiety of the adult world to children.