Dealing with fearful toddlers, part 2
by Staff Writer
Read part one of this series if you haven’t already….
Another method for helping toddlers with their fears is allowing them to watch from a safe distance (with their lovey and Mama) while others participate in the “scary” activity. This can help with things like haircuts, even with fears of the dark - my little guy watches Daddy go into a dark room without fear with HUGE eyes.
Now, it doesn’t mean they will automatically dispense with their fear - my little guy still hates haircuts, even after watching Mommy and Daddy have their hair cut without drama, pain, or other issues. However, it can help to plant that little idea in their mind that it is ok, others do it ok, and it gives a starting place for them to work through that fear.
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November 19th, 2006 at 9:42 pm
A similar trick I used when my crew were very young is to role play the event that will happen. We had dolls go to the doctor and get shots with a toy set, have tea parties with new dolls coming to visit, go on a pretend zoo trip with stuffed animals in the role of tigers. I’d play these with them a few times, with my daughter telling me the script. I think this helped her get used to the strangeness of a new activity.