Children 5-11 Years & Stress

How Stress Affects Children

Stress isn’t just something adults deal with, children can feel it too. Between the ages of 5 and 11, children are learning to navigate the world, build friendships, and handle increasing expectations at home and school. While short bursts of stress (like sitting a spelling test) can be normal, ongoing stress can affect a child’s wellbeing, confidence, and even physical health.

Everyday Causes of Stress in Children

Home Life and Family

Children are very sensitive to what happens at home. Arguments between parents, changes in routine, moving house, or financial difficulties can leave them feeling worried and unsettled. Even smaller changes, like a parent being away for work or a new baby in the family, may trigger stress.

School Pressure

School is often one of the biggest sources of stress for children. Homework, tests, learning difficulties, or worries about not doing well can lead to anxiety. Children may also feel stressed if they struggle to keep up in class or if they feel they aren’t getting enough support.

Friendships

Making and keeping friends is important at this age, but it can also be challenging. Arguments, bullying, or feeling left out at playtime can cause distress. Peer acceptance matters a great deal, so difficulties in social groups can feel overwhelming to a child.

Social Media and Technology

Although younger children may not use social media as heavily as teens, many are already online. Exposure to unsuitable content, pressure to fit in, or comparing themselves to others can lead to worry and low self-esteem. Too much screen time can also affect sleep and increase stress.

Peer Pressure and Societal Expectations

Even at this young age, children can feel pressure to "fit in" – whether it’s wearing the "right" clothes, having the latest gadget, or meeting academic expectations. They may also be aware of wider issues, like climate change or news events, which can create feelings of fear or confusion.

Signs of Stress in Children

Stress in children may not always be obvious. It can show up as:

• Frequent headaches or stomach aches with no medical cause
• Trouble sleeping or nightmares
• Irritability, tantrums, or sudden mood changes
• Avoiding school or activities they usually enjoy
• Withdrawing from friends or family
• Difficulty concentrating in class

Tools to Help Children Manage Stress

For Parents

• Keep routines predictable - Consistency at home helps children feel safe and secure.
• Encourage open conversation - Let your child know it’s okay to talk about worries without judgement.
• Model calm behaviour - Children often copy adult responses. Showing healthy coping strategies sets a strong example.
• Balance screen time - Set clear limits around devices and encourage offline play.
• Promote healthy habits - Plenty of sleep, good nutrition, and physical activity help reduce stress levels.

For Teachers

• Create a supportive classroom - Celebrate effort, not just results, to reduce pressure.
• Teach calming techniques - Simple breathing or mindfulness activities can help children refocus.
• Watch for signs of stress - Be aware of changes in behaviour and work with parents if needed.
• Encourage friendship skills - Group work, kindness activities, and anti-bullying initiatives can support positive peer relationships.
• Offer breaks - Short brain breaks or physical movement during the day can release tension.

Helping Children Build Resilience

While stress is part of life, learning to handle it is an important skill. By teaching children how to express their feelings, solve problems, and ask for help, parents and teachers can help them grow into resilient and confident individuals.

Stress Help for Children

• Books About Feelings

• Emotion Colouring Books

• Stress Relief Toys

• Worry Monsters

SaleBestseller No. 1

Ruby’s Worry: A Big Bright Feelings Book

Percival, Tom (Author); English (Publication Language); 32 Pages - 07/12/2018 (Publication Date) - Bloomsbury Children's Books (Publisher)

£4.50

SaleBestseller No. 2

Feelings: A lift-the-flap board book of emotions (Find Out About)

Language: English; Pages : 18; Publisher : Pat-A-Cake; Pat-a-Cake (Author); English (Publication Language)

£7.99

SaleBestseller No. 3

All About Feelings: 0

Binding : Hardcover; Pages : 32; Publisher : Usborne Publishing Ltd; Hardcover Book; Felicity Brooks (Author)

£7.28

SaleBestseller No. 4

Find Your Happy: The joyful and reassuring picture book about feelings and emotions for children aged 3, 4, 5 – from the creator of The Happy News (My Happy Feelings)

Coxhead, Emily (Author); English (Publication Language); 32 Pages - 04/06/2023 (Publication Date) - Walker Books (Publisher)

£7.35

SaleBestseller No. 5

The Colour Monster

English (Publication Language); 48 Pages - 03/01/2016 (Publication Date) - Templar Books (Publisher)

£7.35

View All Children's Books About Feelings

Bestseller No. 1

My Feelings and Emotions, Coloring Book: Kids Coloring book

M, Lucy (Author); English (Publication Language); 40 Pages - 06/28/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)

£4.45

Bestseller No. 2

My First Coloring Book of Emotions: Helping Kids and Toddlers Understand and Express Their Feelings and Emotions Through Easy Coloring Pages

Palette, Book (Author); English (Publication Language); 61 Pages - 10/26/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)

£6.03

Bestseller No. 3

Emotions & Calm-Down Coloring Book for Kids: Fun Activities to Explore Feelings, Build Confidence & Learn Calming Tools | For Ages 3–8

Creations, BrightWhiz (Author); English (Publication Language); 84 Pages - 05/08/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)

£7.44

Bestseller No. 4

EMOTIONS COLORING BOOK

Bizerra, Mônica Nunes (Author); English (Publication Language); 24 Pages - 05/02/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)

£3.76

SaleBestseller No. 5

Mood Bears: Colour My World (Colouring book to help children understand their emotions)

Autumn Publishing (Author); English (Publication Language); 64 Pages - 05/29/2025 (Publication Date) - Autumn (Publisher)

£5.79

View All Emotion Colouring Books

Bestseller No. 1

Pop It Fidget Toys, Square Rainbow Poppet Fidget Toy, Silicon Bubble Fidget Popper, Stress Relief,For Kids Adults Game,Educational Learning,Party Favor Birthday Gift,Holiday Stuffer

£3.89

Bestseller No. 2

Schylling NeeDoh Gumdrop Squishy Fidget Toy - Sweetie-Themed Nee Doh Stress Ball, Kids Sensory Toys For Anxiety Relief, Safe Non-Toxic Dough Material, 1 Colour Picked At Random

£5.99

Bestseller No. 3

Stretchy Gorilla Toy - Stress Relief Toys for Children and Adults, Stretchy Monkey Toy, Decompress and Squish, Colour Sent at Random in Display Box

£5.99

Bestseller No. 4

18 Pcs Stress Balls for Kids, Fidget Squishy Sensory Toys, Squishy Balls for Kids, Stress Relief for Anxiety

£7.29

Bestseller No. 5

Colourful Fidget Worm Toy, 2 Pcs Fidget Worm, Funny Worm Fidget Toy, Popping Worm Stretchy Toys, Stress And Anxiety Relief Finger Toy For Children With Autism Adhd(Rainbow)

£3.89

View All Children's Stress Relief Toys

Bestseller No. 1

Toyland® 9" (23cm) Rainbow Colour Worry Monster Plush Soft Toy - Loves Eating Your Worries

Feed your troubles to the worry monster so they are no longer your troubles.; Please note this listing is for the rainbow coloured worry monster.

£14.99

Bestseller No. 2

Children's Kids Worry Monster Soft Plush Toy With Zip Up Mouth Eats Worry Notes Sleep Companion Fluffy Fur With Troll Hair pink & green

Zip up mouth; Helps to relive children from worry and stress; Hand Washable; Available in 3 different colours (Purple & Green/Pink&Green/Blue&Orange)

£13.17

Bestseller No. 3

Worry Monster Plush Soft Toy blue & orange

Meet the worry monster who will save your child from thier worryes.; Worry monster loves to eat worries - they are his favourite meal! Yum yum.

£11.49

Bestseller No. 4

Worry Yummy Monster Children's Soft Toy - 28cm (11") Soft Cuddly Toy For Kids - Boys & Girls Anxiety, Stress & Fear Reducing Sleep Companion - Green 'Hank'

SOOTHE YOUR FEAR - Children's Stress, Anxiety and Fear Relieving Worry Yummy Monster.

£9.99

Bestseller No. 5

Toyland® 9" (23cm) Blue & Orange Colour Worry Monster Plush Soft Toy - Loves Eating Your Worries

Feed your troubles to the worry monster so they are no longer your troubles.; Please note this listing is for the blue and orange coloured worry monster.

£13.99

View All Worry Monsters