Stress in Preschool? You Bet!

Jared Lisonbee, a human development professor at Washington State University recently reported that preschoolers do, in fact, have stress. And, it increases throughout the day, especially if they have larger classrooms.

Cortisol, the stress hormone, rises throughout the day in preschool children who have large classrooms, clung to the teacher, had encounters with the teacher, or did not like the teacher.

Unfortunately, high Cortisol levels affect the immune system and can raise blood pressure and the heart rate.

It has also been said that children in institutional settings at a very young age (orphanages) have high cortisol levels. These children tend to have more emotional and behavioral disorders, including problems in self regulation, peer relationships, sleep regulation, and academic achievement.

Could this all be related to stress? You bet!

When stress in these children in decreased (using methods like massage therapy, decreasing sensory overload and social input), these children greatly improve.