Children at the elementary school age have as many problems with stress as their older counterparts. Because for them, like us as adults, stress is any situation that creates a significant change for them from what they normally expect. Getting bullied, losing a game, getting poor grades are some examples. And for other children, it can be more severe leading up to traumatic-based stress. Parents arguing, violence, abuse, or a lot of uncertainty can affect their ability to manage their lives.
Because children cannot verbalize their stress like their older siblings or their parents, their chief solution is to somaticize their emotions. Stomach aches, muscle tension, getting sick more frequently are some of the symptoms of their stress. If the child does not have the tools to manage their stress, they may start feeling more depression or anxiety inwardly. Or they may start to act aggressively towards others, getting in verbal or physical fights. All are ways to deal with problems, but not in healthy manners.
Talking to children about stress at this age can be difficult. But one way to help them is to teach them how to “shake off”. If you’ve ever watched dogs or other animals, they use shaking as a way to regroup or ground themselves after fighting or a stressful moment. They shake themselves back and forth to re-establish an equilibrium.
For a child, they can learn to stand up with their legs slightly apart. Then they can start to take their arms and shake them up and down, back and forth. After this, they can do the same with their torso, legs, and their whole body for a few seconds. The sensation of shaking works as a way to tense and relax the muscles in the body simultaneously. And this is an activity a child can do almost at any time they’re upset.
For another example, watch Qigong expert Lee Holden show ways to Shake Off Stress.
Praxes provides training on its Intensive Child Model, designed to reduce stress and improved behavior for elementary-age children. For more information, please contact us.
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PRAXES is a nationwide behavioral health software, consulting, and training company. No one in the behavioral health industry has a better reputation, and if you give us the chance, we’ll show you why! At PRAXES, our services improve the efficiency and structure of behavioral health agencies serving children and families nationwide. PRAXES brings over 45 years of administrative and clinical expertise. With more than 100 client companies nationwide, we offer the expertise to advance the quality of behavioral health services. We accomplish these goals through our new clinical decision software, our training of best practices, and helping companies meet regulatory standards. At PRAXES, we believe in being creative and fostering new ways to serve children and their families. Our vision is to empower the families our agencies serve with skills that not only improve their functioning, but help them to thrive in their everyday lives. When you give us the chance, you’ll be connected directly to our friendly staff, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry. So, don’t wait, call now!
Dan Thorne has unique perspectives on the field of mental health. As a clinician, he has had over 40 years of experience working with clients in the Southern California area. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Irvine, he worked with children in the Orange County Juvenile Hall. Here he honed his earliest techniques on at-risk children. After that, he obtained his Master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton.
In the 1990’s, Dan turned his attention to the clinical and administrative side of behavioral health organizations. For three years, he was the Assistant Administrator of Starting Point, a chemical dependency facility in Costa Mesa, CA. In 2001, he took an opportunity to be the Director of Harbor View Community Services Center in Long Beach. When he arrived, the Center had only 80 clients and 13 staff. When he left, there were over 400 clients and 75 staff. Dan created several programs through their contract with the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health and Child and Family Services. Under his guidance, Harbor View became one of the leading providers of children’s services in Los Angeles County.
While improving the results of the client’s parents at the Center, Dan reflected on his experiences as a parent. His children themselves had special needs such as mental and intellectual challenges, and Dan knew the toll it takes on the parent. In order to help the child, the parent has to be healthy. From this concept, he created his parenting program. After years of refining it, teaching it to his staff at the Center, and then taking the results and comments from these efforts, he became the developer of the current PRAXES program. It is a culmination of Dan’s personal trials and tribulations as a parent along with empirical results and research of over 40 parenting programs.
Our vision at PRAXES is to advance the strength of parents and caregivers of children with special needs (mental health, intellectual, or physical) through education, support, and empowerment. Thus, they can live healthy and functional lives while caring for the child.
Apogee is a clinical decision software designed to help behavioral health practitioners with their treatment and patient engagement. It provides evidence-based and research-based components. Not only do they consist of elements from such practices as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Functional Behavior Analysis, but also the Intensive Models for Parents, Youth, and Children.
PRAXES has over 30 years of accreditation experience. We know what it takes to get your organization accredited. Whether it’s Joint Commission, CARF, or COA, our team can provide an evaluation of your current status and review the standards which need improvements. We will assist you with the policies, documentation, and training required to be accredited.
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