Calming Firework Anxiety This July 4th

Originally Published on Southern Maryland Parents

Fireworks are loud and often go off unexpectedly especially in the weeks surrounding July 4th. To children and pets (and maybe even adults), fireworks can bring anxiety and fear because of their booming sound and unannounced explosions. There are a few ways to help ease the anxiety that often spurs from these summer celebrations.

For Children-

Fireworks-and-sleep-e1435761644863You should never assume that because your child is used to loud noises, that he or she will be comfortable with fireworks. On the same note, you should at least let them experience one firework and see how they react before concluding that they will be afraid.

If you have learned from experience that your child is afraid of fireworks, taking precautions to prevent their fear will help you in the long run. You don’t want to expose them to it, and then have to deal with the repercussions (like crying, screaming and fear of fireworks for the rest of their life).

The most obvious way to prevent firework anxiety is to arrange to have your young child in a place where there won’t be loud fireworks displays — stay home and watch the fireworks on tv where they aren’t so loud and scary. If you hear them going off outside at a neighbor’s house or a nearby celebration, help them make the connection between what they are seeing on tv and what the sound is outside.

If you intend on going to see a firework show, consider bringing earplugs or noise canceling ear muffs and a security blanket or stuffed animal that your child can hold onto. Encourage them to wear the earplugs or ear muffs at the beginning of the show and until they become comfortable enough to take them off.

Showing children a video of fireworks beforehand so they know what to expect is also a good idea. This will help you child understand what they are about to see and hopefully get them excited! Also, hearing older brothers, sisters and cousins talk about their experiences watching fireworks can pep up the younger ones who may be a little wary.

For Pets-

pets-fireworksMore dogs run away and become lost on the 4th of July than any other day. Most humane societies report seeing a dramatic increase in strays around this time.

It is natural for dogs to be afraid of loud noises. The sounds trigger their nervous systems, and they can become anxious or afraid. Running away from the noise is a survival instinct.

Remember, to your dog, the experience of fireworks is different than other natural loud noises, like thunder. Fireworks are closer to the ground, more vibrant, and are accompanied by sudden booms, flashes, and burning smells. Dogs experience the world through their senses — nose, eyes, ears. The typical Fourth of July celebration can be overwhelming to them.

Once again, the simplest way to avoid doggie anxiety is to arrange to have your dog in a place where there won’t be loud fireworks displays — a friend’s or relative’s home or a doggie day care with which your dog is familiar.

If you cannot take your dog to a place away from fireworks, then have a travel kennel at home for him or her to feel safe in. Dogs usually prefer to hide in tight quarters like bathtubs or under the bed, so a travel kennel would be perfect. If you’re not going to be home, have a friend or sitter there to keep your dog company and take her out to potty every few hours. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a frozen Kong filled with his favorite treats. Also, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

DO NOT bring your dog with you to firework presentations–this is asking for disaster as your dog will likely try to get loose and can end up hurting themselves or someone else.

Having negative experiences with loud sounds can have a life-lasting effect on your dog. They can become skittish or even aggressive at any loud noise once they have determined that they feel unsafe when hearing these sounds. If you feel that sedation is your only option, visit the vet’s office and get a prescribed medication to calm your dog–please do not give them human prescriptions!

To find out where to see fireworks this year in southern Maryland, check out the graphic below!

Southern Maryland Fireworks Schedule

 

 

Family Workshops

This Wednesday, Julie and the kids at the Family Workshop at Green Holly Elementary had a great time experimenting with a Creepy Crawly theme! They decorated big butterflies with paint while learning symmetry, searched sandboxes for bugs, got to hold and look at live Earthworms and made spider webs out of black yarn and glue! Take a look at some of the pictures below!

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Things You Should Never Say to Children with Special Needs

Unfortunately, a child with special needs doesn’t just have to endure the frustrations and struggles that come with the way their brain is wired, but they also have to withstand many misinformed comments and phrases being thrown their way day to day.

It’s not that hard to {insert common activity}.

Yes. Yes, it is that hard. They are not doing refusing to do whatever it is you are waiting for them to do, just to annoy you. It might look like it, but… that is not their intention.

Calm down.

This is easier said than done. In fact, if they could calm down on their own, they already would have. The truth is that they need help. They don’t have the skills yet to self-regulate, but they are learning!

What is wrong with you? You know better.

Yes, they SHOULD know better. This is especially true if the person you are talking to is older than a toddler. They should know to keep their hands to themselves. They should know to walk in a library. They should know to use a quiet voice in a restaurant. However, for whatever reason in this moment, they are unable to! Pointing out that something is “wrong” with them will only make them feel more self-conscious.

Why did you do that?

They have no clue. This one is a lost cause. Most likely, you are going to be met with an “I don’t know” and the shrugging of shoulders. Instead, try explaining why doing that is not a good idea.

Stop being “bad”.

There are so many other phrases to say to a child misbehaving, rather than a phrase that is hurtful.

It’s not that big of a deal.

Not to you! However, to them it is the BIGGEST deal! To them, that wet shirt is like daggers to their skin. To them, that fan whirring sounds like a helicopter trying to land in their room. To them, it’s a HUGE DEAL!

Why don’t you just….{fill in the blank} 

Because they can’t. Because they are overstimulated. Because they aren’t processing the information. The why’s could go on and on.

Go away.

You might think other’s don’t say it, it’s said on the playground, at the park, at birthday parties. Someone that struggles with special needs can have annoying behaviors. However, they are not annoying. They have lots of great qualities. It may just take a little patience and understanding  to find them!

Quit being a baby.

No, they are not being a baby, a sissy, silly, or ridiculous. To someone with special needs, their problems are very real to them and their frustrations are very real. Please don’t downplay what they are going through.

YELL Into a Cup: Dealing with Anger

Sometimes when we feel angry or frustrated our voices get louder and we want to yell at other people. Instead, teach your child to yell loudly into a cup to work out angry feelings. That way, the noise won’t bother anyone, and your child will feel better!

Why is it so important for kids to let their anger out instead of holding it in?

Repression is the opposite of Expression. Repressed anger is one of the most dangerous emotions to be sitting and boiling inside your mind. It can give rise to many physical illnesses such as high blood pressure, stomach sickness, headaches, and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.

For more skills and tips about dealing with anger, frustration, sadness, and more, stop by our resource room and ask the ladies in the front office to help you find some tools to help the children in your care learn to identify and control their emotions.

Social/Emotional Activity: M&M Anger Reflections

There are many ways to help your child learn to recognize and express their emotions. We like this one because it involves candy!! This is a great activity after a meltdown or major disturbance to reflect on the feelings your child was having trouble expressing. This is a great activity for children with ADHD, Autism, and other mental health concerns because it breaks emotions down into small, tangible, and colorful objects! All you will need is a handful of M&M’s! Check out the chart below or make your own using jelly beans, skittles, starburst or whatever candy you may have stashed away!

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