3 Firsts That Can Cause Anxiety in Children

Children pass through many milestones set by adults. Some of them are fun, like learning how to walk or saying their first words. On the other hand, there are also some that can cause your child to feel anxious while they anticipate the unknown.

Haircuts

Some children are very territorial about their hair and do not like it when other people touch it. You might have noticed this in your kid when you try to fix up their hair. As a result of these feelings, many children feel anxious about their first haircut. According to KidSnips, the best thing you can do as a parent is explain to them what happens during the hair cutting process. You should also make sure that your child understands that a haircut does not hurt because your hair does not have nerves. When you meet with the hair stylist, explain to them that it is your child’s first haircut and make sure they can be gentle and friendly with your child.   

Dentist Visits

One event that children and even some adults dread is going to the dentist. This is something they see in television shows and dentist’s offices is always shown in a scary way. As a parent, it is your duty to help your child understand that the dentist is not evil and can help them feel better. According to Maccaro Pediatric Dentistry, the language you use in front of your child before the dentist visit can make or break their experience. Avoid using words like “drill” and instead focus on how the dentist will help them to clean your teeth and protect them from cavities. If you are still worried, you can look for a dentist that specializes in pediatric dentistry. They will have more tools and skills that will help your child feel more comfortable.

School or Daycare

When children are separated from their parents for school, especially when they are left for a long time, it can cause them anxiety. From their point of view, you are abandoning them and leaving them with strangers in a strange place. As with other firsts, you need to set the expectations first. You can also visit the school or daycare beforehand. This allows your child to become familiar with their new surroundings and even meet their new teacher before the first day of school.

As a parent, you can help your children learn how to minimize anxiety during stressful situations. Once you can help your kid be able to form a new perspective, they will be able to adapt to new situations as they come up in the future.

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