GRAND Vol VI, Ed III
GRAND honours and supports grandparents by providing information on resources and businesses for families and a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions: Relearning History: A Tour to Kiixin • Summertime Is Grandparent Time • Helping Kids Face Their Fears
GRAND honours and supports grandparents by providing information on resources and businesses for families and a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions: Relearning History: A Tour to Kiixin • Summertime Is Grandparent Time • Helping Kids Face Their Fears
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I am pleased to see books in the<br />
public library that address the topic<br />
of childhood fears. I’ve read several<br />
stories with my young grandson that<br />
illustrate the mastering of a particular<br />
phobia. While reading these stories, I<br />
am quick to point out the accompanying<br />
feeling of accomplishment and<br />
pride the child experiences by the<br />
end of the book. Many of these books<br />
employ a well-trusted behavioural<br />
therapy technique in which children<br />
are gradually exposed to their fears<br />
in a safe, secure environment. Take<br />
the fear of spiders, for instance, yet<br />
another phobia of mine! Reading<br />
books together about spiders and their<br />
importance in our ecosystem might<br />
be a way to start addressing this fear.<br />
Having a child look at illustrations and<br />
photos, even gently encouraging them<br />
to touch those photos, can help to desensitize<br />
their fear.<br />
Pointing out spiders in one’s outdoor<br />
environment and watching them<br />
build a web or collecting a spider in a<br />
bug box are some further ideas to help<br />
with desensitising. I am a firm believer<br />
that steps like this help make fears<br />
more manageable. Those fears may<br />
never be calmed, but at least we can<br />
develop coping skills that can serve us<br />
well later on in life.<br />
Susan Gnucci is a local<br />
author and a proud “nonna”<br />
to two young grandsons. She<br />
enjoys sharing her experiences<br />
as a grandparent.<br />
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<strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>VI</strong>, <strong>Ed</strong>. <strong>III</strong> 5