Q&A: Pedro De Bruyckere on stress among pre-schoolers

What are the main causes of stress among pre-schoolers?
Pedro De Bruyckere: First of all, stress is contagious, so many children take on the feelings of stress they sense in their parents. There can sometimes already be pressure in school to perform well on tests or to carry out tasks, but a busy agenda with hobby activities outside of school can also cause stress. Hard-working parents often want to compensate for their absence during the week by organising several activities in the weekend, which is not always relaxing for children.

What advice would you give to parents?
Parents should especially not completely fill children’s schedules with hobbies and other activities but leave them sufficient opportunities to just play spontaneously. It’s also important to make sure that children don’t spend too much time in front of the TV or computer screen, as this can cause restlessness. In general, it’s essential that children get enough rest and sleep. Finally, parents should be aware of the fact that their own stress can also affect their children and try to avoid a tense atmosphere at home.

How can schools help to reduce stress among their pupils?
Schools should limit the number of “peak moments” during which pupils are over-stimulated, for instance during tests. It’s also important to include enough variation in the activities and allow sufficient time for play. Teachers should also continually monitor the well-being of the pupils. However, we should not create the perception that Flemish schools are not taking care of their pupils. Most pre-schools do not have a competitive atmosphere, and there is much consideration for the general happiness of the children.