By Jovanda Biston

Kids do complain, grumble and moan about school. How are parents to know if their child is genuinely stressed during the exam period and not just whingeing?

Ms Anna van Zyl of TheCounselling Place said a genuinely stressed child will often demonstrate stress the same way that adults do. She advised parents to consider the child's behaviour in general and to look out for these signs:

Is the child's sleep disrupted, or is the child having nightmares, or unable to get adequate sleep?

A depressed child may sleep more than the usual hours.

Are there any changes in the child's eating pattern? Is he eating much more or less than usual?

Is the child still interested in his hobbies or sports?

Is the child angrier than normal, or crying more frequently?

Ms van Zyl said that if a child is exhibiting any such noticeable changes in his behaviour, it is highly possible that he is suffering from stress as it is difficult for children to fabricate such behavioural changes.

A stressed child may benefit from professional counselling but, more importantly, the child needs his or her parent's help and guidance. She advises parents to examine their own behaviour too to make sure that they are not contributing to the child's stress.

This story was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times, on Oct 16, 2008.

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