ëJanuary Council Minutes
ëa postcard from Don & Jackie Holmbeck
ëthe Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission newsletter
ë"Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?"
ëRock County Christian School open house informational                 poster.

         Helping Kids Cope

A big math test. Starting for the big game.  Peer pressure.  Many of us think of childhood as a relaxing time, but in reality, kids experience significant stress.  How can you, as a parent, help your child cope in the face of his or her anxieties?

• Stay calm yourself.  Your child learns by observation, by watching you.  Help your child learn how to cope by staying centered during stressful situations and working through problems in a thoughtful way.
  

• Give your child support.  Listen to his or her problems.  Encourage your child to find good solutions, and give praise when he or she sucessfully handles a challenging situation.
  

• Practice ways your child might respond to stressful situations.  For example, if a bully confronts your son, what might he say?  If your daughter comes across a difficult problem on a math test, how might she proceed?
  

• Consider learning a relaxation technique together.  Deep-breathing exercises, yoga or muscle-relaxation exercises may help your child stay centered.
  

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