Manage your child's fears

Does your child thumbsuck, stammer, bedwet, become aggressive or cling to you because she's worried?

What is your child worried about? Spend quality time playing with her, so she can express herself comfortably - talk to her and find out what her real problems are.

A new baby in the house?
Her position is threatened and her jealousy is natural. Let her feel that it is not wrong -that you're not angry with her about it. If she pinches and whacks baby, teach her to cope with her jealousy by bashing her doll instead (whom she can call by baby's name) - but it is definitely unacceptable for her to hurt baby. Whenever baby sleeps, or is wellfed and happy, spend time exclusively with your elder child and reassure her that she's just as special as baby. Pay her a compliment every time you say something nice about baby. At one time, my elder child needed a hug everytime I hugged baby!

Ghosts in the dark?
Like the monster under the bed, kids are afraid of the dark because of their vivid imagination. My friend's son was afraid to go into the next room "Because there's a ghost!" I reached into my handbag and put my closed fist into his hand,"Here, take this invisible gun,"I whispered,"When you see the ghost, just shoot him! The ghost can't see the gun and Mom and Dad can't see it too. it's totally invisible!" I slipped the invisible gun into his pocket and he walked away boldly into the dreaded room.

Will Mom/Dad return from the business trip?
Let Dad call your child from the airport when he lands. Make a caterpillar with circles that make up his body. Number the circles and tear each day as it finishes to count upto when Dad returns. Say a prayer at night to keep Dad safe wherever he is and your child safe while he's away.

Can't cope with schoolwork?
Sometimes, when a child is forced to start writing before she is ready for it, she may start stammering or bedwetting. First start your child with learning about letter shapes through blocks or cut outs. Cut black cardboard in small semi circles (for B,P,R) and large semicircles (for C,D,O,Q) short straight lines (for E,F) and long straight lines (for L, M,N). Jumble the pieces and teach her to construct letters from them.
Another useful activity is to allow her to use a chalk or crayon (because the fine grip of a pencil comes later on) You can even paint the back of your door or a cupboard door with blackboard paint. Or use the backs of old calendars for crayon work. Allow free flow of the arm and let them scribble. The paper should definitely be a large size. Once she is confident scribbling on a largescale, teach her to write on the blackboard - large. Or even with a stick on wet sand on a beach. You don't need to be at a table to study. Later, move on to a pencil and write within the lines in a notebook.