They may not wring their hands, yell or furrow their brows, but kids do experience stress, just like adults. Childhood may not be one big picnic for all kids, all the time. And just like adults, kids need healthy ways to relieve stress and relax. A calm, stable and reliable environment can prevent stress in small kids. But how do you know when they've had enough and need to decompress? Obviously, a tantrum will tell you something's wrong with your child, but there are other more subtle ways kids express their need to blow off steam.{relatedarticles}Look for a child who is doing something out of the ordinary - and possibly destructive. Plucking clothes off hangers in their closet, destroying toys, unrolling the entire toilet paper roll...these behaviors might indicate that your little one is stressing about something. At preschool age, stress may start to manifest itself physically in the form of headaches, stomachaches and even bedwetting. Communicating with kids and empathizing with them - perhaps articulating their concerns and demonstrating that you understand - can go a long way in preventing and relieving stress.

This is true, even as children get older and more self-sufficient. A Kidshealth.org poll asked older kids what upsets them most, and school, grades and homework ranked first, followed by family life and friends/gossip/bullying. And while talking to their parents ranked eighth as a stress reliever, 75 percent of the kids surveyed said they would feel better if they could talk to their parents about their problems. More than half of the kids surveyed said they used play or exercise to alleviate stress, but up to 25 percent take it out on themselves, hitting their heads, punching things or harming themselves in other ways.{relatedarticles}Parents can help kids work it out in healthier ways by noticing when their kids are having trouble, and commenting, then listening without trivializing, judging or making assumptions. You may begin a conversation with your child by saying,"I know it hurt your feelings when Mary didn't invite you to her party. That must've been upsetting." Even if the child isn't willing to discuss it at the time, then at least he knows you're listening and understand.