Preschoolers and kindergartners experience the stress of separating form the family for the first time and may worry that you will not be home when they arrive from school. Some children worry about what you will do without them to keep you company all day. Although it may seem minor, the stress of separating from the family for the first time can be overwhelming for some children causing, disruptions in normal behavior.
Elementary school-age children experience stress related to being liked by their peers, being able to do the work required in school and facing the school bully. As they are required to do more homework, this too becomes a big stressor for students.
By middle school, stress revolves around fitting in and the fear of looking like a nerd. More emphasis is placed on personal appearance, and students worry that they are too big, too little or just plain ugly. Being accepted becomes increasingly important. Worries about being smart enough to compete with peers heightens, and fears of being chosen last in gym haunt the lives of those who are not athletically inclined.
The transition to high school again intensifies stress. Academics become more challenging; students are expected to juggle many classes from different teachers who often have different expectations. For students, managing their time to allow for a social life and to complete their schoolwork requires constant attention.
Lines become increasingly clearer between social groups, and popularity becomes tantamount, especially to girls. Being ostracized from a group can be devastating to the teen.
Extra-curricular activities demand more time, placing ever more pressure to manage time and to do it all. For many teens, high school means a part-time job. Concerns over performance on the job, finishing homework and still having time for friends contributes to a teen's stress.
Relationships intensify and the first real boy-girl relationship opens a whole new world of pressure and stress. Decisions regarding sexuality enter the picture. Peer pressure to be sexually active, engage in drinking or drugs and to participate in social gatherings requires the teen to make important life decisions that may seem overwhelming.