Posts Tagged ‘Fears’
Help Toddler Dealing With Fears
Many fears are simply outgrown as the toddler matures into a more confident and worldly preschooler. But others persists throughout early childhood, and – if they can’t deal with – sometimes into adulthood. Gently helping toddlers face what scares them is the best way to ensure that today’s fears won’t continue to hold them back tomorrow. Help your toddler work through fears :
Simple clarification. An older toddler might be reassured by a simple, rational explanation. For example, you may silence a fear of sirens by explaining that “Fire trucks have to make a loud noise so cars and people will get out of the way and let them get to the fire in hurry. It’s a good, loud noise.” For a young toddler, who may not be able to grasp even a simple explanation, a demonstration may be the route to reassurance. For instance, a toddler who’s afraid of going down the drain with the bath water may feel better about bathing after a little display of what can and can’t go down drains (water and soap bubbles can, rubber duck and children can’t). A toddler afraid of the vacuum may be relieved to see that through cracker crumbs can be vacuumed up, a toy truck, a block, and Mommy’s foot can’t be. Read the rest of this entry »