Recognize symptoms of stress. Some of the more obvious symptoms are bedwetting, being afraid or upset for no apparent cause, stomach upset, hair tugging, cruelty toward pets or people, thumbsucking, hiding and night terrors. Remember that there also can be other explanations for these behaviors. One parenting role is to be a good detective. Try to identify the main causes of stress in your child's daily life.
Children know when something is wrong, and nothing is more stressful than uncertainty.
Children need to know the basic facts and because they are still very young and self-centered, need to be assured that the crisis is not their fault. Awareness is the first step. Even fun things can be too much. Deal with their fears, and respect their ability to handle situations when they are prepared for what is going on. Make an effort to cut down on activities, when you see signs of stress in your child's behavior.