It can be difficult for young children to differentiate between real life and imagination. Characters like Kermit and Big Bird are very real to pre school children. As a child's imagination develops, more imaginary characters can become real. When these characters are more threatening it can be worrying, and some children develop a real fear of being alone in their room. Parents need to recognise that although they know the environment is completely safe, in the mind of a child, monsters are very real indeed.
When young children "create" these characters they don't always understand how to banish them. Sometimes, they can become a little like imaginary friends and a relationship can develop which adults may find perplexing. If the child can talk about the character they "see" , and if the parent accepts this as the child's reality then a variety of techniques can be offered to calm, banish or kill the "monster".
Telling a child that there is nothing there and nothing to be afraid of, is logical to adults, but not always acceptable to the child. Some parents use "monster spray" a simple spray of water sprayed in the corners of the room, under the bed or wherever the child thinks the "monster" is lurking, can be effective. Sometimes it is better to create something the child can use by themselves. Praising their bravery in facing the scary helps the child to manage their own fear. There is usually something that your child can tell you that the monster will not like, it may be a torch, monster spray, a dream catcher, a ray gun or a simple "incantation" some noise or rhythm which "monster" doesn't like.
What scares you and how do you manage that fear?
If your child starts to talk about scary things and is reluctant to go to bed because of this it is time to review the media the child is exposed to and to ask more. Treating your child's fears as reasonable, will help your child to have more faith in you as being someone to confide in. Together you can find a way to conquer these simple fears and help your child to become more confident in his/her abilities as well as your own as a parent
When young children "create" these characters they don't always understand how to banish them. Sometimes, they can become a little like imaginary friends and a relationship can develop which adults may find perplexing. If the child can talk about the character they "see" , and if the parent accepts this as the child's reality then a variety of techniques can be offered to calm, banish or kill the "monster".
Telling a child that there is nothing there and nothing to be afraid of, is logical to adults, but not always acceptable to the child. Some parents use "monster spray" a simple spray of water sprayed in the corners of the room, under the bed or wherever the child thinks the "monster" is lurking, can be effective. Sometimes it is better to create something the child can use by themselves. Praising their bravery in facing the scary helps the child to manage their own fear. There is usually something that your child can tell you that the monster will not like, it may be a torch, monster spray, a dream catcher, a ray gun or a simple "incantation" some noise or rhythm which "monster" doesn't like.
What scares you and how do you manage that fear?
If your child starts to talk about scary things and is reluctant to go to bed because of this it is time to review the media the child is exposed to and to ask more. Treating your child's fears as reasonable, will help your child to have more faith in you as being someone to confide in. Together you can find a way to conquer these simple fears and help your child to become more confident in his/her abilities as well as your own as a parent
Posts
