How can I get my 3 year old to overcome her fear of bugs?

Question

I am a nanny for a little girl who is terrified of bugs. I understand kids being scared of bugs on them but she's terrified even when they are no where near her or bothering her and by terrified, I mean a screaming fit.

Answer 1

My son was like that about dogs. We showed him dogs on TV and made a big deal about them on the tv for a while, then we would start to point out dogs while we were out and about (with mommy holding him close so he felt safe) but we always kept him at a distance from them. He would start to point out the dogs instead of screaming because he understood we wouldn't make him go near them. Then we started taking him closer. As soon as his body went rigid or he leaned back or made a scared noise we would take one step back and look at the dogs from there. Eventually we reached the point where as long as mommy was holding him he would pet the dogs. After that we got a puppy and he was good to go. You don't need to go that far cause she doesn't have to want to touch bugs but maybe a little bit through the process so that she will at least look at them.



You could maybe get one of those butterfly farms for her and use that to ease her into it. Show her lots of pictures of butterflies, and buy her hair clips and maybe an outfit with them. Once she likes her butterfly stuff you can talk to her about the butterfly garden and then purchase it for her. (just make sure you talk to her about how caterpillars turn into butterflies.) lol

Answer 2

My daughter was stung by a bee last summer at 2 1/2 since then she has been terrified of bugs. So to help her get over it (which she is NO WHERE NEAR), I found some bugs who don't bite. Worms, butterflies, Roley poley bugs (they roll into a ball, look like an armadillo just way smaller), Caterpillars, Tomato worms, Flies and so on... You can take them bug hunting (or butterfly catching) and explain to them that they are all a type of bug, and not all bugs bite. Ants are cool too you can build and ant farm (also can be done with worms). Just reassure her that nothing is going to get her if she is calm and just ignores them. I wish you the best of luck as I am struggling with this. (Also everything my child sees she calls a spider!)

Answer 3

Go "bug hunting" and then show her all the different types and YOU touch them and don't make a big deal out of making her touch them. Once she sees it's not hurting you she will probably start to warm up. She'll eventually enjoy searching for the bugs too. Just don't make it a big deal.

Answer 4

You can't get her over it... I'm 24 and I still run away screaming when I see any kind of bug. Moths scare me to death!

Answer 5

buy her some books about bugs

Answer 6

Maybe if u touch it and tell them its okay