#asktheexpert my 5 year old daughter is feeling fearful by seeing an animal mask or hearing crackers.... Though we recently went to Thailand and touched many real animals including Tiger but the last 2 days when I brought animal masks, she cried a lot, didn't sleep well and her behaviour was fearful. how can we go ahead? She is feeling scary and unnecessary taking stress

Question

#asktheexpert   my 5 year old daughter is feeling fearful by seeing an animal mask or hearing crackers.... Though we recently went to Thailand and touched many real animals including Tiger but the last 2 days when I brought animal masks, she cried a lot, didn't sleep well and her behaviour was fearful. how can we go ahead? She is feeling scary and unnecessary taking stress

Accepted Answer

It's quite common for children to experience fear or anxiety in certain situations, even if they have had positive experiences with similar things in the past. In your case, while your daughter enjoyed real animals in Thailand, animal masks and loud sounds like crackers may trigger a different kind of fear, possibly because they are perceived as more unpredictable or artificial. Fear of masks, costumes, or loud noises is not uncommon in young children and can be a result of sensory overload or unfamiliar stimuli.

To help your daughter, you can take small steps to gradually reduce her fear:

1. Avoid forcing exposure: Don't push her to interact with masks or loud sounds if she's scared. Let her express her feelings without judgment.

2. Create a calm environment: Reassure her with comforting words and a calm presence. Make her feel safe and supported.

3. Gradual desensitization: Start by showing her pictures of animals or masks and talk to her about them in a non-threatening way. Slowly introduce these things in a relaxed manner, allowing her to build comfort over time.

4. Positive reinforcement: Praise her when she shows courage or handles a situation with less fear, even if it's just small progress.

5. Engage in role play: If she's open to it, you can gently play pretend with soft, friendly masks and reassure her that these masks are safe and not real. This can help her reframe her perception.

If the fear persists or escalates, consider speaking to a child psychologist who can help your daughter navigate these feelings and reduce her stress through professional guidance.