The best way for children to learn good stress management skills is by:

Observing good adult role models is an effective way for children to learn good stress management skills, as children often emulate the behaviors and coping strategies of the adults around them. When children see adults effectively managing stress through healthy behaviors—such as communicating feelings, exercising, practicing mindfulness, or problem-solving—they learn these strategies themselves. The modeling of these behaviors provides children with practical examples they can use in their own lives, fostering resilience and adaptive coping mechanisms.

In contrast, protecting children from all sources of stress can prevent them from learning how to navigate challenges and develop their own coping strategies. All experiences, including stressful ones, are opportunities for growth and learning. Receiving direct instruction in stress management is beneficial but may not be as impactful as real-life modeling, as it often lacks practical application. Finally, learning to ignore symptoms of stress is counterproductive, as it does not teach children healthy coping practices and can lead to increased anxiety and avoidance behavior.

By emphasizing the importance of adult role models, it becomes clear how observing effective stress management can encourage children to develop their own tools for handling stress.