Anxiety-Free Kids by Bonnie Zucker

Author:Bonnie Zucker [Zucker, Psy.D., Bonnie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781618215635
Publisher: Sourcebooks

Motivational Strategies for Younger Children Not Willing to Do the Exposures

Many children will have at least some resistance to taking the first step or two on the ladder, so it is best to normalize this for your child. Help her understand that it is normal to feel anxious about taking the first step, yet emphasize that she can handle the feelings of anxiety and now has ways to cope with these feelings and that these feelings generally subside once she is completing her exposures. Emphasize that she now has tools for managing her anxiety and facing her fears.

If your child maintains that she is unwilling to try the first step, engage in a discussion with her and seek to understand the reasons. Is it possible that the first step on the ladder is actually too hard to be a first step? Is there another step that seems easier or can she think of an easier situation that is not listed on the ladder? Alternatively, can the first step be broken down into smaller parts to make the tasks more manageable? The key here is to maintain that complete avoidance is no longer an option—she must be willing to try something—and the fact that you are willing to work with her on what that may be shows that you are offering your support and care about her feelings.

Remind your child that he will earn stars on his ladder when he takes a step. (Refer to Chapter 6 for an explanation on how to award stars or stickers if needed). You can emphasize the opportunity to earn rewards and create the Reward List if you haven’t already done so.

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