Conquering the Fear of Flying in Children: Expert Recommendations for Parents
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — As the holiday season approaches, many families are preparing to travel, which often means flying. For parents of children who have never experienced air travel, the prospect of a first flight can evoke anxiety, especially for the young ones. Reports indicate that as many as one in six individuals suffer from a fear of flying, a statistic that includes children. As a result, parents are increasingly seeking effective strategies to help their children navigate this fear.
To address this common concern, Dr. Lewis First, Chief of Pediatrics at Golisano Children’s Hospital at the UVM Health and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, offers several guidelines to ease children’s fears surrounding air travel.
1. Communicate Openly: Prior to the flight, engage your child in conversation about their feelings. Understanding their specific anxieties can help parents tailor their support. For instance, a child may express concerns about getting lost in an airport rather than fear of flying itself.
2. Validate Their Emotions: It’s vital for parents to acknowledge their child’s fears without ridicule. Reassurance can go a long way in helping children feel supported as they confront their worries.
3. Educative Approach: Utilizing multimedia resources can help demystify air travel. Watching videos of airplanes taking off or reading books on the subject can familiarize children with what to expect. Role-playing a flight scenario at home can also make the experience feel more manageable and less intimidating.
4. Familiarity with Objects: Providing your child with a toy airplane can make the concept of flying more tangible. Use this toy to explain concepts like seatbelt use and the airport security process, helping mitigate fears about losing belongings.
5. Plan Ahead: Arriving at the airport with ample time to spare can help reduce stress for both parents and children. A rushed experience can heighten anxiety levels, so allowing for a more leisurely pace is advisable.
6. Prepare for Distraction: Once onboard, ensure that you have items that can keep your child engaged—a favorite stuffed animal, interactive games, books, music, or snacks. These distractions can help ease the discomfort of flying, especially during long journeys.
7. Inform the Crew: Notifying flight attendants of your child’s apprehension can lead to them providing additional support and attention, further alleviating stress.
8. Exude Calmness: Perhaps the most crucial tip for parents is to maintain composure, even if their child is anxious. Cultivating a positive atmosphere can help children perceive flying as an exciting adventure rather than a daunting task.
By employing these strategies, parents can significantly ease their child’s fear of flying, making the journey smoother for everyone involved. With careful preparation and an understanding approach, families can turn a potentially frightening experience into an enjoyable first flight. As Dr. First optimistically concludes, envisioning a successful journey will enable both parent and child to make a “smooth landing” when it comes to overcoming the fear of flying.
For more insights, listeners can tune in to “First with Kids,” airing weekly on WOKO 98.9FM and MyNBC5.
