How to Help Your Child Overcome the Fear of Monsters

Many children are afraid of monsters. Often times there fear leads them to have difficulty sleeping at night and being in the dark. As a parent you can help your child to overcome the fear of monsters by teaching them that monsters don't have to be scary. Give your child ideas as to what they can do if they think there is a monster around. I have come up with some fun activities that you can do with your child to help them overcome the fear of monsters.

Reading books is a wonderful method in helping your child to diminish the fear of monsters. You will be able to discuss how they feel, what they think the monster looks like and what they can do if they think they see a monster. Some good books that I would recommend when discusses monsters are How To Deal With Monsters by Richard Powell, Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and Monster Bubbles by Dennis Nolan. You can check out these books at the library.

Use arts and crafts to teach your child that monsters don't have to be scary. For example, make a monster mask. You can do this by using a paper plate, glue, collage materials, hole puncher and two pieces of string. Have your child make a face using the collage materials. After their done you can hole punch each side of the paper plate. Then draw a string through each hole and use it to tie it behind your child's head. Your child can use the mask to pretend there a monster. Another fun art project is having your child make a picture of a monster. They can use markers or paint to draw the picture on a piece of construction paper. For children who are having a very hard time accepting that monsters are not so scary I have them ripe their drawing up. I tell the child if you want to get rid of the monster you're afraid of just ripe up the monster and throw it in the dumpster. For many children this powerful activity has helped them to overcome their fear.

Do a monster food activity. For example, your child can make a monster face using bread, cheese, olives and mayonnaise. First, have your child spread the mayonnaise on the bread. Then your child can use the cheese for the mouth and the olives for the eyes and nose. Another cooking activity would be baking cookies with a face. Your child can use chocolate chips to make the face on the cookie.

Play monster games. You and your child can pretend to be friendly monsters that make different sounds and end up giving each other a hug at the end of the game. Another game is making monster shadows on the walls. You can make a monster stick puppet using a precut monster shape from construction paper and a popsicle stick that would be attached to the monster. In the dark, using a flashlight your child can place their puppet in front of the flashlight and make the monster dance.

These are some suggestions on how you can help your child overcome the fear of monsters. Through a fun learning experience your child will be able to feel comfortable about the thought of monsters. They will also have some ideas through the books and discussions that you have with your child what they can do if scary thoughts about monsters come to mind.