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- [0:00] Fit and Healthy Kids - An Early Childhood Podcast
- [0:04] (LaDonna Werth) - Hello from Nebraska Extension, this is LaDonna Werth and
- [0:08] Lisa Poppe - Extension Educators in the field of Early Childhood.
- [0:13] We bring the research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to you.
- [0:19] We all experience fears from time to time.
- [0:23] Fear is a normal and healthy human emotion.
- [0:26] However, children and adults experience the world differently.
- [0:30] Lisa, can you tell us about children’s fears.
- [0:33] (Lisa Poppe) It is not uncommon for children to be afraid of things
- [0:37] that don’t make sense to their parents.
- [0:39] Separation from parents, monsters under the bed,
- [0:42] loud sounds and other experiences which may seem minor or silly
- [0:46] to adults are quite real to children.
- [0:49] (LaDonna Werth) How can we help children face fears in a positive way?
- [0:53] (Lisa Poppe) We need to keep in mind that it is good for children to have a
- [0:56] healthy sense of caution - they should be afraid of
- [0:59] running into the street for example.
- [1:02] However, when a child has too much fear it can interfere with their normal
- [1:06] and healthy development.
- [1:08] When you teach your child to recognize and label fear,
- [1:11] it helps him to better manage his emotions and handle life’s challenges.
- [1:16] (LaDonna Werth) Lisa how can I talk to my children about fears?
- [1:20] (Lisa Poppe) It is important to notice and label when your child or others are scared.
- [1:25] Include the physical features of fear.
- [1:28] You might say to your child, “You jumped and grabbed
- [1:30] my leg when you heard that loud sound.
- [1:33] You were scared.”
- [1:34] It is also important to provide comfort and spend quality time
- [1:38] together when he is scared.
- [1:40] If your child is afraid of the dark, you can tell a story at bedtime and
- [1:44] cuddle in the dark before you leave his room.
- [1:47] This will help him to feel safe.
- [1:49] (LaDonna Werth) How can we use play time to help children with their fears?
- [1:52] (Lisa Poppe) Since children learn through play, puppets and toys are
- [1:55] great ways to role play situations that your child understands.
- [1:59] For example, “Wow, this dinosaur is shaking.
- [2:03] He is scared because he is going to the doctor tomorrow.
- [2:06] Let’s help him by telling him what will happen at the doctor’s office
- [2:10] and teach him how to be brave.”
- [2:13] Make sure to also celebrate your child’s successes.
- [2:16] If your child is afraid of dogs, you can plan to walk by a house with a safe dog.
- [2:22] When you have walked by the house you can say, “Wow, you walked right by that doggy.
- [2:26] You are so brave!”
- [2:28] (LaDonna Werth) When we help our children understand fear
- [2:30] and emotions what do they gain?
- [2:33] (Lisa Poppe) When you help your child to understand and label all of his feelings,
- [2:37] including fear, sadness and jealousy, you give him more freedom to accept
- [2:43] and experience the ups and downs of his life, which will ultimately
- [2:47] reduce challenging behavior.
- [2:49] Spend time together that will help him to feel cared for and safe.
- [2:53] With love, practice and language he will learn that,
- [2:57] although the feeling may be uncomfortable, it will pass.
- [3:01] (LaDonna Werth) Understanding our emotions and helping children understand
- [3:04] their feelings is key in assisting children in reducing challenging behaviors.
- [3:10] This has been LaDonna and Lisa with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- [3:14] Until next time, enjoy your family time together.
- [3:19] Fit and Healthy Kids is a co-production of
- [3:21] Nebraska Extension, Georgia Extension,
- [3:24] Kansas State Extension, South Dakota State Extension,
- [3:27] and the Iowa Childcare Resource and Referral.