Which source of stress is most relevant for a 4-year-old child?

The most relevant source of stress for a 4-year-old child is separation anxiety. At this developmental stage, children often experience significant emotional distress when separated from their primary caregivers, which can manifest in various behaviors such as crying, clinging, or tantrums. This connection to their caregivers provides them with a sense of safety and security, making separation a profound source of stress.

While attention, confusion, and stranger anxiety can also be relevant concerns for children, they do not typically evoke the same level of distress in young children as separation from their caregivers. Many children at this age are still navigating their understanding of social interactions and may experience confusion, but separation anxiety is a more pronounced emotional response to the absence of familiar figures in their lives.