NewsWSVN 7 MiamiAugust 19, 2026Miami-Dade
Psychotherapist outlines common signs of student stress and communication strategies for parents
A licensed psychotherapist identifies behavioral changes in students that may indicate stress and recommends that parents use open-ended communication and validation to support their children. The guidance suggests focusing on behavioral shifts rather than reacting to outbursts to help children process the transition to a new school year.
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Parents and guardians can use these expert-identified behavioral indicators to better support student mental health during the transition to new school routines.
Key Facts
- Stress in students often manifests as behavioral changes rather than verbal communication.
- Physical signs of stress include changes in sleep habits and appetite.
- Unexplained, persistent stomach aches and headaches can be indicators of student stress.
- Social withdrawal or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may signal emotional distress.
- Mood shifts or lashing out in anger can be secondary symptoms of underlying feelings of overwhelm or guilt.
- Experts recommend parents use open-ended questions to explore the root cause of behavioral changes.
- Validating a child's feelings—acknowledging that it is normal to feel a certain way—is recommended over judging the behavior.
- Side-to-side conversations, such as while walking or playing a game, may be more effective than face-to-face talks for children struggling to communicate.