Your article hit home for us. We are trying to address this issue of stress. Our daughter developed shingles in her eighth week of high school - straight A's, all Honors classes (actually straight A's her entire life). Four or five hours of homework a night. I would like to hear more suggestions rather than a scheduled yoga class. Maybe group discussions, where kids can help each other develop a calming strategy??

Thank You for finally bringing up this very important issue. I have a 9th grader who is taking all honors courses and A/P English plus G/T and I see her over stressed every single day. The teachers are just pushing all the material too fast without the kids having a chance to grasp the subject matter. Every weekend she has to do homework packets in almost every subject she even got homework and a whole novel reading during the winter break. I think this is insane and this might put her health at risk. Please push this subject more so that our educators can fix this problem.

Finally someone is discussing this issue. My kid gets 5 to 6 hours of homework every single day. I complained to the counselor and he thinks that's normal load for a 9th grader. I think my kid might get anxeity attack or God forbid depression. The educators are just not realizing the urgency to fix this problem. There is no point of covering materials without the kids understanding it. This is not how we can compete against China and others. We have to have well rounded children with good health and proper knowledge.

Just let kids be kids. To much work any more! Let the world stop for an hour so you can smell the roses.

Part of the stress in schools comes from NCLB and the all the testing that is done in the schools. Teachers try to teach but are forced to teach to the test because that is all that matters to administration. Activities that students can learn from have to be removed because it doesn't apply to all the tests the students have to take.

My daughter has always been a stellar student (advanced classwork since elementary). Since the beginning of Junior High she has thrown up every day before school. (no, she does not have an eating disorder) We went to her Physician and was referred to a med for heartburn. I know this is stress related as she is fine on weekends. I have told her that I'd rather have her bring lower grades home than see her sick every morning to relieve her stress. Now she is having difficulty with tests, getting nervous about time, not checking her work and getting distracted. I think yoga will help with both, we're going to try it!

My son is in third grade and weve just been through numerous test to find out what is going on.We have found out he is having panic attacts induced by stress from school.Something has got to change, parents like us are begging for help.

I am a college student and in high school I do think that standardized tests put stress on kids.
But shouldn't we be more worried about the stress students feel from broken homes or the fact that some are afraid of getting abused as soon as they walk through the door when they leave school? I mean we are talking about stress relief classes for students who are stressed over grades. I see somethign wrong with this. If the worse thing your kid is stressed about is grades, you should be thankful for the life you have been able to give your child. I always kick myself because I still get stressed about finishing my homework and continuing to get straight A's, but I always try to remind myself that I have friends who are taking the same course load and working 3 jobs to pay there way through college, which thankfully I haven't had to do, but that's real stress.
Plus which school districts are the ones getting the yoga classes? I'm assuming its the ones with the money to do so, the ones with the nicer homes..

Not to mention that there are school districts that can't even afford sports or the regular classes to be available to their students, I think that should be education's main concern rather than yoga classes. I do agree that NCLB is behind much of the stress whole districts and students feel from standardized tests.

Schools are not generally the problem in stressing students. The amount of homework required is usually ridiculously low. When students come unprepared to class and, therefore, "feel the stress" of school, how about analyzing how they spend the rest of their time, i.e. computer games, television, and "hanging out with friends" for hours? A lot of high school students blame their work schedules. And why are they keeping heavy work schedules? To pay for their cars and the upkeep, insurance, and gas. For most of them a car is not a necessity, but a status symbol. When other teens are driving to school, it's not cool to ride the bus, a bicycle, or with parents. And walking is out of the question. Teens have established their own culture of "must drive to get to work (and school), must work to pay car expenses." It's a stress cycle that doesn't have to happen.
Yoga classes? Yes!!! But as a PE class, along with instruction in Pilates, calesthenics, Taebo, aerobic dance. Yoga does not translate to OM.

I think you are missing the big picture. Instead of making excuses or diagnosing syndromes or diseases, why not go ask the countries that have the highest educational standards? Don't push, no competition, and all students should receive the same reward, have produced a bunch of lazy, excuse making, poorly educated kids with the world owes me attitudes. Give me a break!

I think you are missing the big picture. Instead of making excuses or diagnosing syndromes or diseases, why not go ask the countries that have the highest educational standards? Don't push, no competition, and all students should receive the same reward, have produced a bunch of lazy, excuse making, poorly educated kids with the world owes me attitudes. Give me a break!

Regarding stressed out children, I have also observed an "academic hierarchy" that is occuring among high school students due to advanced placement programs. It convinces those very bright children who are not in advanced placement classes that they are not bright. The end result for these children, perhaps less stress from academic pressures but a lowered self-esteem that is not deserved.

I am an children's yoga instructor who can attest to the impact of mindfulness education in schools and otherwise. As others have mentioned, our culture of hurry up and go, competition, media, packaged/processed foods has to led us to be diconnected - with ourselves, with others and with our environment. Families text messaging instead of having dinner together...need I say more?

Yoga has repeatedly been linked to better learning, improved behaviors, and higher self-esteem. Students quickly learn to use yoga as a tool, not just to increase physical fitness, but also to manage their feelings and behaviors, and to create a mental state ready for learning and taking tests.

And, let's not forget the teachers - they are incredibly pressured. Yoga programs designed for the classroom help everyone. They typically include 5-15 minute activities, requiring little space, no special equipment, and led by the teacher/student...therefore, they do not cost a lot of money.

Flat out, there is such a mixed message to parents and students. Work in school is supposed enhance the child as a whole and prepare them for the world. In college I had numerous friends who had a real eye opener about college work, writing reports, and testing because their previous (high) school was too easy going. High school prepares students for college and thus for life. Some never reach college and thus I hope high school prepares these children enough for the real world. Or there will be alot of young adults still learning lifes hard and be living at home until 30.
But the reality is Parents and family stepping up and raising their children not hoping someone else does it for them. Children learn how to respond to stress by those leading an example good or bad.

I have a 8th grade nephew who is suffering from anxiety and school phobia. He has been to therapists, and
child psychiatrists. When he finally gets to school the teachers say remarks to him that sets him back even further.
This child wakes up every schoolday complaining of stomach aches. The school offers no recess or sports for these middle school children. The only release they get is a 20 minute lunch break with assigned tables in the lunchroom and a PE period 2X a week. The administration ignores this situation.
I think schools need to evaluate the
curriculum and realize that the lifestyles around us has changed. Teachers that have been teaching for many years do not have the patience to deal with 125 middle schoolers a day.
It is very sad that children are afraid to go to school these days.

We have to find a way to help our kids! I have a freshmen and a junior and I see them suffer everyday. Especially my 14 year who has an IEP. She works very hard for her grades but the moodiness the sadness the no energy is awful! What's even worse, I suspect my normally joyful and happy junior is slipping into depression! They both are pleasers and want to succeed but the amount of stress they go thru each day is unbelievable! I think High School should be somewhat fun and enjoyable but there is no time for that. Both of our children love dancing and playing sports but we cut out the "winter" sports so that they have a break between their fall and spring sports and to concentrate more on down time and academics. Fortunately, their h/s offers dance as a fine arts class which to me is like their "yoga" class to unwind. I just wish there was a way for me to fight this and get help for our kids!

I saw your segment this morning on Sressed Out Kids and boy did it hit home! I was up late last night with my duaghter who is a Sophmore @ Dana Hills High School In O.C. CA. she had just gotten home from a dance practice where they had to rework their comp dance routine for this weekend because they lost a team member due to school work load. She had to study for two tests Chemistry and AlgebraII/Trig Accelerated for today, and she was showing all her typical stress signs, not hungry, grumpy and generally not happy. This has been going on for the weeks leading up to the holiday break and has become aggravated again due to finals being around the corner. What really hit a chord with me was the comment about skimming over schoolwork with a desire to just get through the test and just get the needed grade. All this stress stems around this Math class of hers which is where I have noticed she has lost her desire to learn. I have to say in this instance the teacher and his attitude play a role in this feeling.

We have concerns over how much TV, video games and internet viewing that our children are exposed to each day. This seems to interfere with their regular chores and schoolwork causing additional stress on our family by not allowing much family time or physical activity. Wondering if any parents have this issue?

I graduated from high school in 2006 and it seems to me that a smart thing for teachers to do would be to stop assigning students busy work. Instead of assigning several problems a night, they could assign just enough to ensure that the student understands what they are doing. A decrease in homework load from educators would help decrease the stress and frustration students feel and would help them to be able to have down time in their schedule.

We have a 9 yr. old in 4th grade and a 6 yr.old in 1st grade. I spoke with the principal yesterday and she mentioned that she and the school psychologist were just talking about how it seems year after year they are spending more and more time in one-on-one interventions with stressed out little kids. Statistics do prove that we have a serious problem, and the "Every Child Left Behind" act seems to be making things worse. Stress and depression is occuring in kids at an alarming rate. Our school,and another local elementary school are starting to take some action by implimenting an "emotionl literacy" program called "An Exercise in Happiness". It is very simple yet very powerful and takes up only minutes each morning in class, and has a few fun exercises to do at home with family. To find out more go to kidscandoanything.com.

Why are schools teaching stress reducers? I'll tell you. Whatever parents do, they're told they're wrong, but of course the school system is always right, so the schools are supposed to pretty much raise the kids. I realize this sounds hostile, but I'm just sick of this. Seriously, we have people graduating from high school that haven't heard of the pilgrims, can't locate their state on a map of the United States, and barely qualify as literate. Maybe the schools should work on that instead of the stress level of teens. And I hate to say this, but life is stressful. Adults are full of stress, too. The only difference is that teenagers aren't used to it and have enough energy and idleness to whine and gripe about their stress and blame all of their bad choices on it.

Boy, you Americans sure do worry me! I'm taking advanced high school courses, doing very well, thank you, and I am a member of three different extracirricular clubs. And you know what? I'm not stressed at all. Nor is anyone else who does the same. I don't know what is is. Yoga is optional (and extracirricular, I might add, and then only in high school). They don't teach stress-reduction methods, or any other stuff like that. Maybe you guys could learn a thing or two from us?

Social dramas... pfft. Procrastination? Don't make me laugh. Blaming extracirricular activities? I don't know what planet you're on. That stuff happens here too, in the Far North just like anywhere else? And you know what? We can deal with it. Canada is a much more socially integrated country. Schools are much more multicultural, there is far less bigotry, percentage-wise, than any high school in the States. I don't know what it is, but Canadian schools seem to be better-managed, have happier students, AND score higher on standardized tests. Maybe you should stop blaming the students (such things as social lives, extracirricular activities, etc.) and take a good look at the government in general, and the school board in particular. Special focus should be given to teachers. Scrutinize your child's teacher carefully. Do they ignore bullying? Do they tell the child they'll do something, say a few words the bully, and then walk off? Or do they actually sit down with the parents of both parties and discuss the issue? Perhaps all this child stress is caused by teachers pushing their students too hard and not giving enough downtime, as well as ignoring various issues that can really affect children. When you vote, vote for he he (or she) who will actually DO what is right, rather than he (or she) who will merely bandy words. Thank you, and good night.

I know I've signed off for the night already, but I've got one thing to add: one of the guys in my gym class came to school today in a KILT for St. Patrick's Day, and was so un-self-conscious about it that he paraded around in it for the whole day. All I want to say is this: you worry too much over trivial things, and blame all the wrong things for the ills of your society. I know people who watch all sorts of social comedy shows (Grey's Anatomy, COrner Gas, etc.) as well as such things as Survivor and American Idol, and yet lead more well-adjusted lives than even "exemplary" students I've seen in the States. Additionally, additional parentally-enforced homework (mandatory reading, extra math, etc.) is only contributing to the vaunted "stress meter". I remember quite well the one summer when my parents gave me extra homework (it was elementary-level math), and it was the most dreary, unhappy summer of my life. You try being cooped up in your house for hours on end struggling over what, for your age group, is advanced math, when your friends are outside playing in the street, or at the park, or up in the neighbourhood treehouse. Simply, it's this: micromanage less, worry less, and blame outside stimuli (other than such things as bullying, which ARE negative and your kids will surprise you with what they can do and achieve.

It's hard for parents to see and recognize stress in their kids, because they sometimes have trouble recognizing it in themselves. In our harried world, we get so caught up in the "fast track" that we often lose sight of the importance of just "being". I say, "YOGA, YES!" I also say we teach the other emotional skills of positive thinking and optimism, as well as problem solving, amongst others. Sometimes parents can't teach these things to their kids because they don't know the skills themselves. Why not have an evening event that allows FAMILIES how to learn these great things together?

I also agree with Patrick above, whose child's school is implementing a program that takes only minutes a day. It's true that we can all teach ourselves and our kids to "change our thinking and change our lives"...in mere minutes!!!

Wendy Young, LMSW, BCD
www.comprehensivecounseling.homestead.com