It is normal for children to have some fears, such as running out of parents, interacting with other children, fear of animals or insects, the doctor, dentist or injections, and even fear of cycling or swimming because of the danger of falling or drowning, example.
It is therefore important for parents to help their child overcome their fears by adopting some simple strategies, such as:
1. Help the child understand the importance of facing their fears
Before helping your child overcome fear, it is important for him to realize that he can do it only if he is confronted. Therefore, it should be said to the child that at first it can be scary and a bit difficult, but that with practice he will feel less anxious and safer, managing to face his fears.
2. Make a list of the child's fears and place them in order
Together with the child, make a list of the situations, places, people or objects she is afraid of and organize them from the least fear to the greatest to the child. This makes the child and the father or mother realize what the child's fears are and their importance to him.
3. Build strategies to address the child's fears
Once the list of fears is made, create simple and initially easier and then more difficult strategies for the child to face their fears. For example, if your child is afraid of getting away from you or doing things alone, strategies can be staying at a friend's house for 10 minutes, playing alone for 15 minutes, or staying at a friend's birthday party by 30 minutes. If your child is afraid to talk to colleagues, strategies can be: first say hello to a colleague, then ask a friend a question and then talk about the weekend.
4. Implement strategies
Apply strategies, starting with the least fears and the easiest strategies. Once the child is able to implement one strategy, move to another, and after being able to face one fear, move on to another. At this stage it is important to train with the child before he or she implements the strategies, to follow every step of the child and to encourage her to feel safe and confident.
5. Reward the child
Each time the child is able to implement a strategy or face a fear, value their effort and encourage it by telling them that they are very proud and that they "knew that he would succeed." For larger fears that the child can cope with, one can give her a bigger reward, like the toy she so much wanted. For younger children, you can even make a poster with your progress by placing a star whenever she can reach a goal.
6. Have patience
This process of coping with fears takes time and each child is different, so it is important to remain calm, to be patient and to always reinforce the child's courage so that he feels safe and confident.
Despite this, not every child who is afraid will be a fearful adult and afraid of everything. However, if fears are not overcome, the child may have some difficulty in socializing, being alone or being around animals, for example, and even having these fears as an adult.
Therefore, if fear begins to harm the life of the child or adolescent, it is recommended that you consult with a child psychologist / psychiatrist to help you deal with your fears.
To encourage your child to face new challenges, see how to make your child a confident adult.
