My almost 5 year old is scared of every bug or insect that he comes across, he literally shakes and cries?
by paco on Sunday, February 5th, 2012 | 3 Comments
My little boy seems to have a very unhealthy fear of all bugs and insects. He cries and shakes uncontrollably if one is in the car or one flies near him outside. It is starting to make it difficult to do normal things such as driving and just going outside. He gets the other children at his daycare upset when he starts to get hysterical about a bug and it’s disruptive to others. I have tried bug books, having his own bug killer( fly swatter) puzzles with bugs, fake foam bugs, stickers with bugs, clothes with bugs on them. I am seriously at my wits end because i don’t want to yell at him for a fear he has no control over but i can’t take the hysterical screaming if a gnat or fly get in the car or a moth flies in the house. Please help!
Try buying a bug box like this:
Something cute and approachable, and collect some bugs outside. Make sure he sees YOU touch the bugs and not be scared. Be confident, tell him the bugs are alright. Give them names, like pets.
Maybe if he sees you, a trusted adult, calm & collective about the bugs, and sees that they are contained in a box and won’t hurt him, he won’t be as scared.
We fear what we do not understand. Instead of teaching him about fake, toy bugs, take him outside and show and teach him about real ones. Teach him the difference between healthy and unhealthy fears.
I have a four year old who does the same thing.
I have tried catching the bugs and showing her I’m not scared of the bugs but that does absolutely nothing.
The only bug shes not afraid of is butterflies.