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Fear of elevators
Our two-year daughter is afraid of elevators. Being on vacation, we had to use an elevator in the hotel for the first time. The first five days she cried and fought when we wanted to get into the elevator. But later, since she was freed of fear and she even requested to use it. Unfortunately, after a month while we were in a visit to some relatives who lived in a very high building, our daughter started crying when she saw the elevator. While riding the elevator she showed intense fear. What is your advice? Do we need to avoid using an elevator whenever possible?
Psychologist's answer For young children, especially toddlers, the world is a little scary place, because they are not able to understand many things. Since your child freed of fear after five days of riding the lift, I think that controlled exposure to an elevator could be a way to overcome the fear. I do not suggest an compulsorily insisting for entering the elevator, because it could lead to a deepening of the fear. Here’s what you can try. In the beginning, you can only stand with the child next to the elevator and watch people entering and going out. When the child ceases to be afraid to stand next to the elevator, you can propose to enter and exit the elevator together. After doing this, give her a compliment. When you see that she is getting used to it ask her if she is ready to drive only one floor. Gradually you can increase the number of floors. Be patient, follow your child’s reactions and do not force it. |