Kids...On The Grow
A newsletter from the Early Childhood Intervention Collaborative

Issue 42
 
 
 
 

September 2000 Table of Contents Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?  We All Are Fun Activities Can Reduce Fears Kids Korner.... Back to School Breakfast Nutrition Fast Breakfast Recipes ECIC Members Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? We All Are! Understanding Childhood Fears Fear - an unpleasant, strong emotion that occurs in response to being aware of impending danger; either real or imagined. Fears...we all have them and yet we find ourselves quite embarrassed or even angered by our children’s fears.  Have you heard yourself saying, “You know, there is nothing to be afraid of,” or “Don’t be silly, this can’t hurt you?”  We find ourselves shaming our children and under-cutting their self-esteem.  What is it in us that cannot accept our children’s fears for what they are - an intelligent, natural reaction to a frightening, often confusing world? Fears are usually learned by watching others around us.  Fears can also be a natural instinct, like a fear of loud noises, which have a survival function.  Children usually experience many more fears than adults because they are very small in size, know they are powerless and lack the ability to understand the world around them.  Fears are most common between the ages of two and six.  The most common fears are fears of the dark, loud noises, separations, abandonment, monsters, animals, unfamiliar situations, storms and ghosts.  Particular fears are normal of children at certain ages.  It will be helpful if you simply expect these fears: Six months to two years: fear of separation, strangers, baths, loud noises and falling. Two to four years: fear of animals, storms, dark, people in masks or costumes, doctors and toilets. Four years: fear of ghosts and monsters Five to six years: realistic fears of leaving home, going to school, as well as fear of burglars and other bad people.  Eight years: fear of death Looking at the World Through a Child’s Eyes It may be helpful to see our children’s fears through their eyes.  Imagine that you are a young child, age 18 months to two years, are not very tall and have a very limited understanding of how the world operates.  Next, imagine yourself in these situations:   A big thunder and lighting storm is outside. The toilet flushes and I see all the water go down the drain. I am standing in a crowded elevator. A big dog jumps on me. My grandparents, whom I’ve never met, pick me up and hug and kiss me. I am in a dark room by myself.  Wind is blowing tree branches outside my window, making moving shadows on my wall. Looking at the world from your child’s point of view may help you to understand how they are thinking and feeling.  When we realize that our children’s fears reflect their intelligence and understanding of the world around them, we can be more helpful in aiding our children in conquering them.  Make a real effort to alter your words, facial expressions, and tone of voice when you deal with children and their fears.  Instead of shaming the child out of the fear or denying that the fear is real, it is better to:   Give your child some of your adult strength by moving in close to them, holding them or putting your arm around them. Actively listen to the child’s fear... “That big dog is frightening you.  He seems almost as tall as you are and you are scared he might push you over. Ask the child what you can do to make the experience less frightening.  If they are afraid in an elevator, they may want you to hold them up high. Talk about the frightening event.  Help the child to know that it is okay to be frightened, that you have fears too, and that when you were little you were frightened of similar events.  Let them know that just because they may be frightened of the dark now, does not mean they will always be frightened of it.  Remind them of the fears they have already mastered. Prepare children for experiences that they fear to help the them manage the situation.  A visit or tour of the hospital or school before the time to go will help them gain some understanding of what will happen and where.  Read books about what it is that frightens them.  The librarian at your library can help you locate books specific to your child’s fear. These approaches respect your child, instead of making them feel ashamed.  They help the child work through their fears and gain mastery over their irrational responses.  This helps them feel like competent people who can actively control their world! Source: Family Information Services, March, 2000. Fun Activities Can Reduce Fears Very young children (as well as even adults) learn about their world through play.  Play is a non-stressful way to help children deal with new situations or to help alleviate fears.  Think of play as a way for children to practice life skills in a fun setting.  One way that parents and care givers can use play to help children master fears is by using what is called extinction.  It is a behavior modification method that pairs a fear with something pleasant.  This reduces the ability of the event or situation to cause fear.  Some ways that you could use extinction to help your child deal with a fear of the dark might be:   Play games with flashlights in a darkened room. Show a family slide show or movie in  darkened room. Eat dinner by candlelight. Have a toy hunt by flashlight in a darkened room.. Take a star walk. Explore shadows by making shadow hand creatures on the wall Dramatic play is another way to help your child master their fear.  If your child will be going to school soon, let him recreate the situation and help him master his fear.  Pull together some simple props from around the house such as scissors, glue, crayons, markers, paper, pencils and books.   If your child is scared of going to the doctor, play doctor with her.  Use various items from around the house or toy medical kits to help them understand what the doctor will be doing to her.  Art materials can be used to help your child create what she is afraid of.  If she can draw a picture of the monster she is afraid of, then it may become less scary.  Children can draw a picture of the doctor, the dentist or the barber to help alleviate their fear of those situations.  Between the ages of 3 and 4, monsters and ghosts are of major concern to children.  Let them (not you!) use a flashlight to check under their bed, in their closet or around furniture to reassure themselves that they are safe.  It is important not to join your child in his fears by sweeping monsters out from under his bed, but allow him to check and assure himself that they exist only in his mind.  Source: Family Information Services, March, 2000 and Bobbie Sandoz, Parachutes for Parents,1993 Kids Korner..... Building a Skyscraper When a big case of boredom comes along, as it soon does when the weather turns cold and children are forced to play indoors, let them create a skyscraper made from cardboard boxes.  These skyscrapers are made from stuff you already have around the house yet can keep kids busy for hours.  Start by collecting cardboard boxes in various sizes.  Tape the boxes shut with packing tape, then stack and tape them on top of each other.  Using markers and crayons, you kids can decorate the boxes with windows, columns, mailboxes and so on.  They might want to add some 3-D touches as well, such as flowers made from tissues, flags on drinking straw flagpoles and people from some of their toy figurines.  The fun can go as high as the children can reach.  Remember, the sky is the limit!  Prepare for Cold Weather “Down Days” Before the cold weather season gets into full swing, assemble a few grab bags to open in emergencies such as sick days, snow days or even terrible moods.  Fill a paper bag with a few ingredients that can occupy your little one and make a bad day better.  Here are a few ideas:   A new coloring book and a small package of fresh crayons or a paint with water book and a paintbrush. Age appropriate game or playing cards.  I recently found some of these at a dollar store at 2 for $1!  These can offer some new activities that also teach valuable skills such as matching and turn taking. A small bottle of bubbles to blow and a package of Silly Putty is usually good for a lengthy period of simple entertainment.  Add in a clipping of some colored cartoons from the newspaper to lift off with the Silly Putty. A bunch of googly eyes, pom-poms and glue for making “creatures.” Back to School Breakfast Nutrition Nutrition and learning go hand in hand.  Kids who are nutritionally fit are more likely to have the energy, stamina, and self esteem that enhance their ability to learn. Start with a healthy breakfast.  For children and teens, a morning meal is especially important.  Breakfast prepares children to meet the challenges of learning.  Those who regularly eat a morning meal tend to perform better in school, often scoring higher on tests.  Breakfast eaters have higher school attendance, less tardiness, and few hunger-induced stomach aches in the morning.  They concentrate better, solve problems more easily and have better muscle coordination.  Kids who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight, too. Fast Breakfast Recipes Here are a couple of great breakfast ideas for on the go families.  I have personally tried them both and my family gives them a 2 thumbs up! Whole Wheat Quick Bread Preheat oven to 350º.  Spray an 8" round baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and dust it with all-purpose flour.  In a medium-size bowl stir together and make a well in the center:  ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour  1½ cups whole-wheat flour  1 teaspoon baking powder  ¾ teaspoon baking soda  pinch of salt   In a small bowl, stir together then add to dry ingredients:  1 cup buttermilk  1/3 cup honey  1 tablespoon vegetable oil  1 egg, slightly beaten Stir just until combined.  Pour into the pan and bake 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and dry. Turn the onto a rack to cool slightly, then cut into 8 wedges.  Nutrition Information - per wedge Calories - 184, Total Fat - 3 g Saturated Fat - 0.7g,  Cholesterol - 28mg,Sodium - 171 mg Dietary Fiber - 3 g, Calcium - 71m Hearty Breakfast Cookies Preheat oven to 350ºF.  In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together until creamy:  ½ cup butter, softened  1 cup peanut butter  1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar  2 teaspoons vanilla Beat in:  2 eggs  1/3 cup water (or buttermilk) Mix together and then mix into the peanut butter mixture:  1 cup all-purpose flour  1 cup whole-wheat flour  2 teaspoons baking soda  1 teaspoon salt  ½ cup wheat germ  2 cups quick cooking oats  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Stir in:  1 cup raisins (dates or chocolate chips may substituted) Drop by teaspoonfuls 2½ “ apart on greased cookie sheets.  Flatten slightly.   Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.  Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.  Store in an airtight container.  Makes 4 dozen cookies. Nutrition Information - Serving size - 2 cookies Calories - 265, Calories from fat - 100, Total Fat - 11g,  Saturated Fat - 4g, Cholesterol - 28mg, Dietary Fiber - 3.5g, Protein - 7.5g The Whole Wheat Quick Bread is a perfect on the go breakfast when served with a slice of cheese and a serving of fresh fruit.  It is great warm out of the oven, but can be kept in the refrigerator for several days.  I like to make two or three loaves and freeze the wedges.  Simply wrap each wedge in plastic wrap.  When ready to serve, thaw in the microwave. The Hearty Breakfast Cookies when served with a glass of milk and a piece of fruit provides much needed brain-power to start the day.  For children who do not like traditional breakfast foods, these are a healthy alternative.  Remember, breakfast can be any food they like, even a slice of pizza!  Source:  www.allrecipe.com , and www.eatright.org.  EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION  COLLABORATIVE Early Childhood Service Coordinator Deborah Polczer - 937-548-4915 Darke County Health Department Terry Holman, Martha Brown, 937-548-4196 Darke County Mental Health Darlene Baker - 937-548-1635 Darke County Board of MR/DD Kathy Dixon - 937-548-8323 Council on Rural Services Program Linda Primrose-Barker, Janet Rhoades, Susan Sibbing -  937-548-8002 Wayne Hospital Karen Meihaus - 937-548-1141 Family Health Services Jean Young, Carol Cox - 937-548-9680 Miami Valley Regional Center Debbie Pack - 937-236-9965 Juvenile Court Fran Gullia - 937-547-9091  Greenville Schools and Darke County Schools Toni Custer - 937-548-2509 Department of Human Services Becky James - 937-548-7129 Ohio State University Extension Diane Johnson - 937-548-5215 Parent Representatives Trina MtCastle, Shari Wappelhorst GRADS - Greenville City Schools Linda Palmer - 937-548-4188 ext. 53 GRADS - Miami Valley Career Technology Center Mary K. Miller - 937-854-6065 or 937-548-4915 Child Care Clearinghouse Pat McElwee - 937-461-0600 Darke County Education Service Center Lisa Combs - 937-548-4915 Family Information Network Maggie Vance - 937-339-5679 Back to the top   |   FCS Home Page   |   FCS Newsletter    |   County Home Page Table of Contents

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.
TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868
Updated: September, 2000