5 Ways to Spot and Ease Your Child's Learning Stress

It’s another Stress Awareness Week, and this is another time for us as parents to pause and check-in on how our children are coping with the demands of school, the new session, homework as well as extracurricular activities.

Here’s another reminder from one of our earlier blog posts – learning should be a positive experience, not a stressful one. So how then can we support our children’s academic success and happiness? We’ve come up with five essential steps to make this school year an stress-free experience.

Understand learning stress in children

Stress in children often manifests differently than in adults. Your child might become irritable, having trouble sleeping, complain of stomach aches, or suddenly resist homework time. They might say things like “I’m not good at this” or “I’ll never understand it”. Recognizing these signs early is the first crucial step in creating a more supportive learning environment.

Create calm through routine

One of the most powerful stress busters for children is predictability. When children know what to expect, their anxiety levels naturally decrease. 

In our earlier blog post, we encouraged parents to make a schedule to bring routine and calm into learning and that still holds true today. 

Try this: 

• Create a visual weekly planner with colour-coded blocks for schoolwork, rest, and hobbies or use our weekly schedule customisable template, available for download. 

• Rotate study subjects e.g., “Maths Monday,” “Reading Tuesday,” “Creative Thursday.” 

Don’t forget to revisit your child’s schedule from time to time. If they’re overwhelmed, you can trim tasks rather than push through.

Break the homework battle

If homework time has become a battleground, it's time to reset. Start by involving your child in creating their ideal study environment. Do they focus better with soft background music or complete silence? Do they prefer sitting at a desk or lounging on the floor with cushions? When children feel ownership over their learning space and process, resistance often melts away.

Consider implementing the "Pomodoro Technique" adapted for children: 15-20 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. This prevents mental fatigue and makes daunting tasks feel more manageable. During breaks, encourage movement like jumping jacks, stretching, or a quick dance party can reset their focus.

The Power of Connection

During stressful periods, your relationship with your child is their greatest buffer against anxiety. Make time for one-on-one connection that has nothing to do with academics. This could be a weekly movie night, cooking together, or simply chatting during a walk.

When your child wants to talk about school stress, practice active listening. Resist the urge to immediately problem-solve or minimize their feelings. Sometimes, children just need someone to acknowledge that yes, that spelling test really does feel overwhelming right now. Validation doesn't mean agreement, it means recognizing their emotional experience as real and important. 

Monitor Screen Time and Sleep

In our digital age, excessive screen time—especially before bed—can significantly impact stress levels and learning capacity. Screens stimulate the brain and disrupt the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Establish a "screens off" time at least one hour before bed. Use this time for calming activities like reading, listening to audiobooks, quiet conversation, or gentle stretching. Ensure your child is getting adequate sleep for their age: 6–12-year-olds need 9-12 hours, while teenagers need 8-10 hours.

Use this Stress Awareness Week as an opportunity to check in with your child about how they're really feeling. Create space for honest conversation. Ask open-ended questions like "What's the best part of your school day?" and "What's the hardest part?" Listen without judgment.

Then, together, choose one or two stress-reduction strategies to implement as a family. Small, consistent changes create lasting impact.

Every child experiences stress differently, and what works for one may not work for another. Be patient with yourself and your child as you discover what helps them thrive. The goal isn't to eliminate all stress—some stress is normal and even beneficial—but to ensure your child feels supported, capable, and confident in their ability to handle life's challenges.

Don’t forget that at EGT, we're here to support you in nurturing confident, capable learners.