The child is afraid of the storm: how to cope with this fear

The children of junior and middle school age are so many different fears, including the fear of loud noises notes. In particular, children are afraid of the storm. This fear is justified by the fact that during a thunderstorm played too loud and unexpected sounds, respectively, and frighten children. Thunder and lightning, which are characteristic of thunderstorms occur suddenly, the kids just do not have time to mentally prepare, so scared. Often the fear is accompanied by loud cries and tears.

According to observations child psychologists found that approximately 60% of preschool children experience fear of thunder.

How can you help your child cope with this phobia? What if the storm caught you by surprise?

The reaction is usually provoked by the child that perhaps someone from the adult has the same fear and unable to control their emotions at children. Therefore, you first need to start working on yourself and get rid of his own fear.

Children are afraid of the unknown. Try to explain to your child what a thunderstorm. As a way of lightening and thunder. Give examples from mythology, the stories just try to make the most understandable and fun for preschool children. Perhaps, if the head is formed crumbs definition for thunderstorms, then a phobia will disappear or will not be so pronounced.

If the weather forecast and weather conditions there is a high chance of a thunderstorm in the day, it is better to cancel all planned business and stay home with the baby. At home, much easier to "hide". Thus, the storm began, the baby is crying, what to do? In no case do not make fun of children's fear. Close the windows, turn off electrical appliances, take the child in his arms, calmly explain that you are with him, so you nothing bad can happen.

All actions must be measured and calm, do not create chaos, so you're just scared to death kid. If the child likes to read, you can buy the book (for example, children's encyclopedia), which will be detailed and clearly describes such a natural phenomenon, like a thunderstorm.

Kid still afraid?

A great way to deal with this phobia - sit out bad weather in the "house". As the house can be a children's tent, which now has virtually every child. There is not a tent? Not a problem by building a "house" from scrap materials: blankets, bedspreads, pillows, etc. Also, the idea to ride out the storm in a makeshift house suitable for the street...

Suppose you were walking with the baby in the park and suddenly began to rain, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder. Take a sweater / jacket / bag, sit down with the baby and cover the head is such a "roof". At the same time tell the crumbs that you are now hidden in a kind of house and you do not really afraid of this storm.

What is most frightening about children?

Loud sounds and unexpected flashes of light (lightning). What can be done to take the baby and lessen his fear? Encourage your child to a game in which he will play the role of a fighter against bad weather. The task of the baby: to make loud sounds, thereby, to scare and chase a storm. Clap hands, stomp feet, sing songs or scream baby slogans, banging a spoon on metal bowl or simulate playing on the drum with the help of kitchen pots and so on. D. Being engaged in such games the child is distracted from what is happening outside the window and completely forget about their fears . Prepare only to the fact that as a result of this "battle" you can start to get a headache.