1. Talk to your children about what is likely to happen during their visit with Santa. Knowing what to expect can go a long way to reduce a child’s fear.
2. Modeling by others can be a useful strategy for reducing fear. Have your frightened child watch from a distance as an older sibling or friend sits on Santa’s lap. Once he/she sees that visiting Santa is actually something fun, your child may be want to participate as well.
3. Being exposed to Santa beforehand (e.g. - seeing Santa in online videos, photos, story books, DVDs) may help children to be better prepared for their own visit with Santa.
4. Allow your child to approach Santa at his/her own pace. Start far away and gradually encourage your child to get closer as he or she becomes more comfortable.
5. Don’t force your child to approach Santa. Although exposure to feared situations is an effective way to reduce fear, it only works when it’s predictable (no surprises) and under the control of the child.
6. Consider offering small rewards (e.g. - ice cream, a small toy) for having a picture taken with Santa.
7. Before you bring your child to the mall, tell him/her a story about Santa so he/she is familiar with this character and sees him as friendly and jolly instead of someone who is new and potentially scary.
8. If all else fails, don’t sweat it. It’s perfectly normal for young children to be afraid of Santa, as well as other costumed characters. Children eventually outgrow their fear of Santa and may want to take a photo with him when they are older.
Looking for more holiday tip sheets and experts? Visit: http://www.ryerson.ca/news/media/spotlight/holiday2012
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EXPERT AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:
Dr. Martin AntonyProfessor and Chair, Department of PsychologyRyerson University
www.martinantony.comCo-author of The Anti-Anxiety Workbook: Proven Strategies to Overcome WorryPanic, Phobias and Obsessions (Guilford Press, 2009)Not available after Dec. 21, 2012
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