How to relieve stress when children feel pressured about going to school

Children may experience stress related to school, which can generally be alleviated through patient listening to understand the source of stress, helping them create reasonable study plans, encouraging participation in enjoyable activities for relaxation, guiding them to master simple stress-relief techniques, and fostering a relaxed family atmosphere. The specific approaches are as follows:

1. Patiently listen to understand the source of stress: Parents should proactively communicate with their children, gently asking about difficulties they encounter in school life, such as academic challenges or peer relationships. Listen attentively without interrupting or rushing to offer advice. This helps children feel understood, allows them to release emotions, and clarifies the specific causes of their stress.

2. Help establish a reasonable study plan: Based on the child’s academic abilities and workload, work together with them to develop a daily study schedule. Break tasks into specific time blocks to prevent accumulation and overwhelming pressure. Include regular breaks in the plan so the child can relax between study sessions, reducing anxiety caused by chaotic or nonstop activity.

3. Encourage participation in enjoyable activities for relaxation: Support your child in engaging in activities they enjoy, such as sports, drawing, or reading. These activities provide a temporary escape from academic pressure, shift focus away from stressors, allow children to gain a sense of achievement through focused engagement, relieve tension, and restore energy for learning.

4. Guide them in mastering simple stress-relief techniques: Teach children basic methods to manage stress—for example, practicing deep breathing when feeling anxious, doing light stretching during breaks, or journaling their feelings. These tools enable children to independently regulate their emotional state when facing stress at school, enhancing their ability to manage emotions.

5. Create a relaxed family environment: Avoid frequently discussing grades, rankings, or similar topics at home to reduce psychological burden. Organize more family leisure activities, such as evening walks after dinner or weekend parent-child games, so children can fully relax at home and feel supported. This strengthens their confidence in coping with stress.

Throughout the process, parents should pay attention to changes in their child’s emotions and avoid excessive expectations or criticism. If a child’s stress persists and symptoms such as insomnia or school avoidance occur, it is advisable to communicate with teachers or seek professional psychological support to help the child healthily manage school-related stress.