Supporting Young Children Through Community Stress
January 30, 2026
Young children are deeply perceptive. Even when they don’t understand the details of what is happening around them, they feel changes in tone, routine, and emotional energy within their families and communities. During times of heightened stress or uncertainty, children under five often express what they feel not through words—but through their bodies, behaviors, and play.
At our preschool, our Therapy Services pillar—particularly Occupational Therapy (OT) and Art Therapy—plays a critical role in helping young children feel safe, regulated, and supported during challenging times.
How Adult Stress Transfers to Young Children
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), young children rely on consistent, responsive caregivers to help them manage stress. When families and communities are under strain, children may show signs such as:
Increased emotional outbursts or difficulty calming
Regression in sleep, toileting, or independence
Withdrawal, clinginess, or changes in play
Heightened sensitivity to noise, touch, or transitions
These behaviors are not intentional. They are a child’s way of communicating a need for safety and connection.
How Therapy Supports Emotional Regulation
Occupational Therapy helps children regulate their nervous systems so they can participate fully in daily routines such as learning, playing, and connecting with others. Art Therapy provides a developmentally appropriate way for children to express emotions when language is still emerging.
Research supported by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University emphasizes that predictable routines, sensory regulation, and opportunities for creative expression can reduce the impact of stress on young children’s development.
Simple Strategies Families and Educators Can Use
Many OT and art-based strategies can be easily incorporated into daily life at home or in the classroom:
Keep routines as consistent as possible to support a sense of safety
Offer open-ended art activities such as drawing, painting, or clay without focusing on the final product
Include movement, stretching, or calming sensory activities throughout the day
Create quiet spaces where children can reset when emotions feel overwhelming
Name emotions gently and reassure children that they are safe and supported
Prioritize connection through presence, warmth, and responsiveness
These strategies help children feel grounded, understood, and capable of managing big feelings.
Supporting Children Through Strength and Community
When children feel safe in their bodies and supported in expressing their emotions, they are better able to learn, grow, and build resilience. Early therapeutic support is not about fixing children. It is about nurturing their strengths and honoring their experiences.
At Children’s Day Preschool, we believe our community is strong. We are committed to supporting children and families with care, compassion, and culturally responsive practices during challenging times.