When the head goes on strike: tips against learning stress

The summer holidays are over and school has started again. And before you know it, the stress of learning is knocking on your door. The result: academic performance plummets and many children feel overwhelmed. As a parent, you should not take any of this lightly, because if the stress level persists for a long time, physical and mental symptoms can develop in your offspring. These include headaches, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, fears, nervousness, sadness or loss of appetite. It is important to first separate learning stress from other school stress. And then it is important to counteract the exhausting situation as best you can - for example with our tips against learning stress.

School stress is not the same as learning stress

If children have stress at school, parents should first find out what the causes are. On the one hand, there is the classic learning stress. This occurs when the workload is too high and there is a fear of bad grades and the feared reactions of teachers, parents or classmates. But the school environment itself can also lead to stress. For example, when children cannot assert themselves against aggressive classmates, are struggling with bullying or have few social contacts. Finally, other factors can also play a role in this scenario – for example, problems at home, overstimulation from noise or too much media consumption, or ineffective study or work behavior. Last but not least, it is also about how well children have generally learned to deal with stress. So some put away a challenging stage better than others. And stress is not bad per se. Positive stress can certainly lead to an adrenaline rush that helps children to achieve extraordinary things. However, if the stress is negative, action should be taken quickly.

What to do against learning stress? Our tips

First things first: If children show symptoms that indicate learning stress, they primarily need loving support. So it can help not to look away, but to talk to the child calmly and appreciatively about the stressful situation, to identify the stress factors and, if possible, to reduce them. In addition, the following tips will help you as a parent against learning stress:

1.) Take notes and write them down: If you take notes in class and formulate the learning material in your own words, you kill two birds with one stone: most of them understand the specially formulated things better while studying. In addition, especially visual learners benefit from it. Because they remember content most easily when they read it or grasp it visually - in contrast to verbal explanations.

2.) Find ideal study times: While some learn better in the morning, others only improve their ability to concentrate in the evening. And while some can focus on one thing for hours, others need more breaks. It is therefore essential to know yourself or your own children well in order to be able to create effective learning plans and structure the days correctly.

3.) Take breaks: Speaking of breaks: These are essential, regardless of the type of learner. Because only if the brain gets the chance to shift down a gear in between can what has been learned be consolidated. It's best if the environment is changed at the same time - so leave the room or, if possible, go outside for a short time in the fresh air. This frees the head from too much burden and clutter.

4.) Create balance: In general, it is beneficial to create a balance to the intensive learning phases and thus ensure sufficient exercise on the one hand and the necessary amount of relaxation on the other. For the former there are small and larger adventures with family or friends - a mountain bike tour, a hike, an afternoon of climbing, a day at the swimming pool. If you are more creative, you can also use these times to paint, make friends, play an instrument, organize game nights or take photos. When it comes to relaxation, on the other hand, cuddling on the sofa, taking a nap, relaxation exercises and digital downtime can work wonders. Rest periods in one of our CHICO hammocks also ensure relaxation. Perfect for this are books - whether read by yourself or read to the children -, soothing playlists and audio books or card games.

5.) Study with friends: Another possibility is to get learning reinforcement - for example in the form of your best friend. Some children can motivate themselves better and even look forward to the time together.

Not everything is going badly

As a parent, always keep one thing in mind: everyone has different talents, preferences, strengths and weaknesses. So also praise your child for all those aspects that are going well. This motivates and helps to stick with it - even on tasks that don't work out right away.