Contents:
- Medical Video: I'm Not So Scared | I Love to Learn: A song for kids who are afraid of the dark, preschool songs
- What causes children to be afraid of animals?
- How do you deal with children who are afraid of animals?
- 1. Introduce various types of animals through books or films
- 2. Recommend through toys
- 3. Invite children to play with friends who have animals
- 4. Visit a pet store or zoo
Medical Video: I'm Not So Scared | I Love to Learn: A song for kids who are afraid of the dark, preschool songs
Most young children, especially those who are only 2-7 years old, are usually afraid to "make friends" with animals. Even with animals as domestic as cats. What do you think, the cause of children being afraid of animals - even though they have never interacted with animals at all, just looking from afar?Is there a way to handle it?
What causes children to be afraid of animals?
Basically, children are easily scared. What's more, maccording to Dr. William Sear from Parenting, children generally do not have a proper understanding that most domestic animals that are often encountered, such as chickens, cats, or dogs, are not dangerous creatures.
Children regard animals as something completely new and foreign in their world. Because from babies to date, most children generally only interact fully with fellow humans - whether it's with mother, father, aunt, sister, to neighbors. No wonder the child shows high alertness, maybe even crying screaming in fear, when faced with animals without prior introduction.
How do you deal with children who are afraid of animals?
If before the child never interacts or meets animals, even insects and reptiles, never scare the child with the assumption that animals are disgusting or frightening. Moreover, do not ever use animals as a threat mode when he acts naughty. For example, threatening to offer children a lizard or locking up with a dog if they don't want to obey. Unfortunately, these two things that often occur outside there and become the origin of the cause of fear of children in animals that continue to become traumatized until they are adults.
Here are some steps that parents can take to overcome a child's problem with fear of animals, and prevent them from developing into their own phobias when they grow up.
1. Introduce various types of animals through books or films
Initially, you can introduce animals to children through reading books or films. Choose books or films that have animal characters that your child is afraid of. For example, if your child is afraid of dogs, you can set 101 Dalmations or through the Tintin comic book that is familiar with Snowy's pet dog. Teach that these animals are not dangerous and make it a habit to gradually get to know the animals.
Avoid ways of telling scary animals, like "then, the crocodile ate it alive! Raawwwrr !! "or" The dog bites Andi ", with a frightened expression. This will actually make children become more afraid and dislike animals, or even nightmares about the animal.
2. Recommend through toys
To introduce to animals, try to buy children various kinds of toys with animal shapes, let the child choose his favorite animal toy. That way there will be a feeling of wanting to have children, toys can be one of the media that can describe the nature of animals to children. It is recommended not to force children's choices, because this will cause children to get bored and increasingly not menyenagin animal characters
3. Invite children to play with friends who have animals
Not all children are afraid of animals. Some children are used to growing up with pets since they are still in the womb. Well, if the child has a friend who is close to the animal, you can try to take the child to play with his friend's house.
Every now and then let the child see how his friends his age play and care for his pets. Paying attention to that, can help children overcome their fear of animals which is actually not scary.
4. Visit a pet store or zoo
Next you can try to see cute animals on pet shop who sells pets. First you introduce pets that are there, it will be very helpful if you introduce and hold it. When you see him getting interested, invite him to take part too. That way, children will have their own interest in animals later.
