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Keep life's little shocks from scaring younsters
(NUE)--The first smile, the first laugh, the first step--these are monumental moments for babies and their parents. But for Nancy Ireland, these special moments unexpectedly became an unpleasant experience.
Ireland's 6-month-old daughter started looking anguished every time Ireland reached to pick her up. And that made her heart sink.
What Ireland soon learned was that her daughter was associating a touch with tiny static electrical shocks. This is what psychologists refer to as a "conditioned response."
What parents often don't realize is that such conditioned responses are developed in their children every day and, at impressionable ages, can stay with them a lifetime.
Once Ireland realized that her carpet was causing the static electricity, she corrected the problem by using Static Guard around her house to prevent the electrical shocks from coming between them. Soon, her daughter was all smiles when being picked up.
The makers of Static Guard offer some helpful hints on how parents can prevent more of life's little shocks in the home:
Be aware of pets. Children love animals and those who don't usually had a bad experience with them. Parents should keep an eye on how pets and children interact. A cat who likes to hide and pounce can scare a child and make that child afraid of cats for life.
Be conscious of your own reactions. Children often imitate their parents' reactions; their parents' fears then become their own. If a mother always screams at the sight of a spider or a mouse, her son or daughter may develop a lifelong fear of that creature. Observe your own behavior and try to prevent instilling your fears into your children.
Be mindful of loud noises. Barking dogs, slamming doors-everyday occurrences that are barely noticeable to adults-can be very frightening for children. Accustom your children to certain noises and let them know that they are just a part of life. Soon, they may not startle as easily.
There are also good conditioned responses. Children will continue good behavior if they learn that praise or a "thank you" will follow. Let your children know when they are doing a good job and they'll keep doing it.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
