One child may be stressed by changes in his daily routine, moving to a new home, or the birth of a sibling. These same events may strike another youngster as novel and enjoyable, and indeed, he may thrive on such stimulating fare. The signs of stress are not as difficult to define as the term itself. Children suffering from stress may be antisocial and unresponsive to the friendly overtures of others. Bouncing Back Children differ in their resilience and in how long it takes them to bounce back after stressful life events.
Some studies indicate that boys are more susceptible to stress reactions than girls.
The reasons for this are not clear, they may be due to cultural norms that put more pressure on young boys than on girls to be brave and strong and not to cry or otherwise reveal their distress. Coping usually requires thinking though the alternatives at hand and trying to make the best of stressful circumstances. However, a preschooler's capacity to analyze and formulate strategic plans is very limited. Getting help is therefore highly dependent upon an adult recognizing warning signs in youngsters struggling with stress. Once the problem is identified, the adult can help by listening to the child's expressions concerning stressful events and situations and offering understanding, support, reassurance, and plentiful affection, holding, and cuddling.