Coping techniques and common reactions children use                                    to get through difficult situations:

•  Anger/ Aggression: although the frustration is derived from the uncontrollable situation, it can often be misplaced and directed at surrounding people 
• Crying: a natural emotional release
• Deep Breathing or self-calming techniques: intended to divert or distract from the stressful situation
• Denial: The overall disbelief and shock that the situation is actually happening to them. This can sometimes carry over to rejecting necessary medicine, procedures etc.
• Escape: Similar to denial, focusing on a specific activity (i.e. video games or play) in order to avoid or pretend the stressful situation doesn’t exist
• Information seeking: Desire to know more about a situation in order to process or further understand. Some adults hesitate to allow their information-seeking children to be privy to more in-depth information but when sought out by the child allowing this access encourages their coping.
• Play: Can be used as a release and distraction. Some children talk about feelings or reenact real life situations in their play.
• Rebelliousness: Reasserting their independence in an effort to gain some control
• Regression: Reverting back to old routines or behaviors (ex. being more clingy) may remind them of a time when life seemed easier. Newly learned skills like potty training may temporarily take a back seat while they are adjusting to the many changes in their routine
• Selective Silence: Choosing not to talk reasserts their independence and is an overt sign of something they will always have control over; with whom they choose to speak.
• Submission: Child may react to challenges by becoming passive or withdrawn 
• Use of Fantasy: This can be very helpful, for example the child may view themselves as a "super hero" which can be a great motivator especially during procedures etc. You should also be the child’s “bridge to reality” for example when the child demands that superheroes do not do chores etc.

Children Coping Skills (2012).  Retrieved November 8, 2012, from http://www.stjude.org