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Billy loves insects. His "bug collection" is among his favorite
possessions. His brother, Joey, however, is terrified of anything that
creeps or crawls.
Many young children develop a fear of bugs during the toddler
and preschool years. For some, this fear lasts into adulthood. Adults
who handle children's fears sensitively, can help youngsters overcome them. Here are four tips to help children who are frightened of
bugs. (P.S. They will help adults, too, for that matter.
- Your own feelings matter. Think about your feelings concerning bugs. Are you afraid? Do your best to not to communicate your fears to children. You might
find that, as you help a child to become less fearful, your own fears begin
to ease.
- Warm support helps. A frightened child needs plenty of adult comfort and support.
Calmly reassure the child that you will take care of him and that he will
not be hurt. Some people think it helps to tell children that they should get
over it or to tell them that they are too big to be afraid. It never helps to
belittle a child. Teach children that:
- Spiders and insects eat bugs, not people.
- Spiders and bugs are scared of people. Even the smallest child
is a giant compared to a tiny bug.
- They can run faster than any spider or insect.
- Read stories about bugs.
Many children become fascinated with insects when they learn
something about them. Read stories about spiders and insects. Ask
your local librarian to help you find storybooks with bugs as characters
and science books with photos of spiders and insects. Share with
children what you know or are learning about bugs, take them for a
nature walk, to the zoo or to a nature center. Most children enjoy
seeing things that they are learning about.
- Play with toy bugs.
Put plastic and rubber spiders and bugs in your sand box. Talk
about the difference between pretend and real bugs. Children may
want to pretend that the bugs are crawling or flying. You might suggest
that your children play hide and seek with bugs. If one child teases
another with the toy bugs, step in. You can remind the frightened child
that the bug is only pretend. Stop the play if any child becomes too scared to enjoy it.
Bug Bite Safety
When the summer sun comes out, so do insects and bugs.
Sometimes that means bug bites. Bug bites usually are just a painful
annoyance, but in some people they can lead to a serious medical
emergency. Follow these tips to reduce the chances that a child will
be bitten or stung.
- Avoid areas where stinging and biting insects live and nest.
- When outdoors, always keep food covered.
- Regularly clean outdoor eating, barbecue and garbage areas.
- Mow lawns and tend to Gardens with caution to avoid disturbing insect nests.
- Avoid perfumes, sprays and lotions that attract insects.
- Avoid bright colors and bold or flowered print clothing.
- Avoid public trash baskets.
When a child is stung by an insect,
such as a bee, wasp, hornet, yellow jacket or fire ant, it is important
to monitor him or her carefully. Sometimes a child will have an extreme
allergic reaction called "anaphylaxis," also called "anaphylactic
shock." Anyone can experience anaphylaxis, not just people with
known allergies to insects bites. The first symptoms may come on within a few seconds or up to
two hours after the sting. Here's what to look for:
- Itching of the skin and raised rash (hives)
- Flushing, swelling of the tissues of the lips, throat, tongue, hands and feet
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, hoarseness
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps
- Loss of consciousness
Get immediate medical attention for the child who shows any of
these symptoms.
For the following books or activities, contact Ann Zander,
Colorado State University Extension in Boulder County
Colorado at (303)-776-4865; e-mail: azander@coop.ext.colostate.edu
- How to Make an insect Net
- insect Safari
- Plant Selections for a Child's Garden
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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