How To Encourage A Child To Try New Scary Things Without Traumatising Them In The Process

Melbourne, If your child has ever dug their heels in on the morning of the school athletics or cross country day, or refused to speak in front of the class, you're not alone.For some children, these kinds of events bring a heavy, anxious feeling: what if I'm t... Melbourne, If your child has ever dug their heels in on the morning of the school athletics or cross country day, or refused to speak in front of the class, you're not alone.For some children, these kinds of events bring a heavy, anxious feeling: what if I'm the slowest, what if everyone's watching, what if I get it wrong?For parents, it can be hard to know what to do. Push too hard and the morning becomes a meltdown. Let them off and you worry you've taught them to opt out.Is it ever okay to follow their lead? And how do you give them the best chance of having a go next time?Why facing fears mattersWhen we avoid something we're afraid of, we feel instant relief. That relief is powerful, and it teaches the brain that avoiding worked. Over time, the fear grows and the impulse to avoid gets stronger. This is true for all of us, not just children.So, in general, it helps for children to face fears sooner rather than later, before avoidance settles in.But that doesn't mean forcing a child through a panic. Pushing too hard can confirm to them the situation really is dangerous.It's worth helping your child face the fear before avoidance takes hold. What that looks like depends on what's driving it.Start by understanding what's going onIf you can see a tricky day coming, talk to your child about how they are feeling ahead of time. Ask gentle questions to work out what the resistance is actually about.Did something happen last time? Is something going on with friends? Is your child worried about failing, being judged, or being laughed at?You might say: "I noticed you got really quiet when Dad mentioned athletics day. Is something about it worrying you?"Children won't always have the words straight away, so give them time. It can help to have these conversations side-by-side rather than face-to-face: at bedtime, walking or driving together. Without eye contact, children find it easier to think and talk about hard things.Try not to jump in to say "you'll be fine" or "there's nothing to worry about". This can come across as dismissing the feeling, and your child may stop talking. Just listening can help children open up.Validate the feelingOnce you have a sense of what's going on, let your child know the feeling makes sense before moving to suggesting what to do.Children find it easier to think about solutions once they feel heard. You might say: "I can see this feels really big right now. It makes sense you're worried."Pause and stay silent for a moment. They may start crying, which is often part of processing fears.This is often when we are tempted to rescue or reassure