Children experience stress just as adults do. Various responses to stress can damage the body's health in at least two different ways. First, they may do direct damage to the tissues--especially those of the circulatory system. Second, and more often important to the health of children, they may suppress the body's natural defenses against disease. Studies have shown the association between stress and illness in both adults and children. Children are exposed to a wide variety of stress. Some of the most potent include: birth of a sibling; entering school; change in residence; parent's marital problems; bereavement; adoption; and illness. Children who develop health problems in response to stress are often victims of stress overload. They frequently lack strong coping skills and/or social support and quite often are "Type A" (coronary prone) personalities, characterized by competitiveness, a sense of time urgency, and higher than average levels of aggression and hostility. There are a variety of ways adults can help children to cope. They can improve communication with children; increase adult understanding of child development; expand children's social resources; provide peer education and counseling; plan in anticipation of major stressful events; teach problem solving skills; and teach relaxation techniques. (JM)