2006-06-13 03:40:18 · 21 answers · asked by Christian R 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Take them somewhere where they can see really interesting bugs close up. I would recommend a Butterfly Center or something like that. Once they realize that some bugs are beautiful and some are pests, maybe they will lose some of that fear.
Good Luck
2006-06-13 03:42:54 · answer #1 · answered by MoMattTexas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try systematic desensitization. Basically introducing them to different bugs in non scary ways and gradually working your way up to actually handling a bug. Start with perhaps a conversation about how bugs are beneficial to all of us and some of the good things they do. Ladybugs are always a good one to start with as many people use them in organic gardening. Move on to childrens books about bugs, then maybe more realistic pictures, then museum exhibits, then maybe a butterfly museum where they have the live butterflies- this may be only a southern thing, then finally the run of the mill household bugs. It is important to move at their pace but to make it interesting and entertaining and to provoke them to ask questions. Never move faster than they are willing to move or you could just make the issue worse.
2006-06-13 03:48:59 · answer #2 · answered by flamingojohn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
figure out where they got it from...Mom maybe? Children 'LEARN' to be afraid of things, it's not inherent so watching how people react to things or situations is how they will learn. Provide them with some positive interaction, a butterfly conservatory etc. or just take them out and find bugs. Make it FUN!!! Not pressure! This will not happen overnight but as their curiousity grows about what YOU are doing holding the bug etc and how you are NOT afraid...the fear will subside.
Do not use it as a 'face your fears' exercise at 8 and 3. The more you press the more they see that there really IS foundation for their fears.
2006-06-13 03:46:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know those big water bugs?
Catch a few of them and put them in a jar.Show them to your little girls and then spray Black Flag on them.
Walk away and watch Cartoon Network for 30 minutes.
Bring them back and let them see that the bugs are dead.
They will learn that bugs are no big deal and are easy to deal with.Tell them that the bugs can be stepped on and squashed too.
Give them a few live examples to get them started;step on a few.
They need you to show them how it is done.
Thier foot is a good de-bugger,but they don't know that yet.
That will serve as a good demonstration that they have control over bugs and not vice-versa.
They must know that they are the powerful ones,not the bugs.
Graphic demonstrations of that will reinforce in them a strength that they do not even know that they have.
Always use strengthening tactics and never weakening ones.
Do not let them entertain thoughts that bugs are greater than they are--they're not.
2006-06-13 03:53:17 · answer #4 · answered by Den 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain them that bugs won't hurt them. Then, take one urself and hold it in front of them so they'll have the chance to see that they can\t harm you too. This maybe make it easier for them... Otherwise, you can take them a book about bugs.
Take a big glass bin, put some soil in it and then put some ants in there. The ants will make their "homes" look really funny in the glass bin and i'm sure that ur girls will have fun by watching the ants' lifes!!! Try this. It maybe works!!! Good Luck
2006-06-13 03:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by smaragda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our friend has a 7and 4 year old girls and has passed his own fear of spiders to reverse this we take the girls out for nature walks, trips to my parents farm, and to the library and teach them that bugs of all kinds help the earth and help them identify the ones that can be harmful to humans and pets(ticks). It has taken patience up the girls are learning that bugs are fragile and help full to
2006-06-13 03:50:43 · answer #6 · answered by dragonflysbuzz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My niece was to and we bought her this thing we found at Toys r us. Its called a bug box, you can order lady bugs to put in it or get bugs of your own and they get to see up close that they are not so scary. Its also a great way to get them to learn and get over fears!
2006-06-13 03:48:55 · answer #7 · answered by bergenchrissie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if someones afraid of bugs
u have to find the positive part of interacting with a bug
or if u want them to overcome their fear, then u get some bugs
and try to make them be more comfortable being around them
2006-06-13 03:47:54 · answer #8 · answered by aznshadowboi801 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show them that most bugs are not harmful, and show them the ones that are harmful and not to touch those. My girls used to be afraid of bugs, until I took them to the zoo and to the children's musuem here in Indiana, (Indianapolis) and they got over their fear of bugs, just by having me explain to them not all bugs can harm you and showed them the ones that could.
2006-06-13 03:44:44 · answer #9 · answered by farside76 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy them an ant farm and put a variety of small bugs in it, once they study them they may realise that there harmless
2006-06-13 03:45:04 · answer #10 · answered by - 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋