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Fun, Not Fear!

Helping Children Cope With Fears Through Stories and Crafts

By Mike Anderson

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Tube kazoo:
Create the kazoo by taking a paper tube and use a hole puncher to create a hole located about 1 inch from the end of the tube.

Next, cut a piece of wax paper or plastic garbage bag large enough to fit over and around the end of the tube. Place the wax paper over the end of the tube where you punched the hole and secure it tightly to the roll with a rubber band.

To play, part your lips slightly – like a kiss – and make a soft, not forceful, continuous "oooo" sound into the open end of the tube. This will create a buzzing sound. To play tunes, "oooo" the song into the tube.

 

Spoons:
There is a "proper" way to play the spoons that involves holding the spoons in a certain manner (for an example, visit www.spoonplayer.com). However, young children will have a frustrating time learning it. Hitting two spoons, preferably wooden spoons, together will add percussion to any informal music session.

 

Rubber-band banjo:
Stretch rubber bands across the open end of a stiff cardboard box to make this instrument. Different-size rubber bands will make different sounds. Actual melodies will be difficult to play.

Be sure to let your child decorate the instruments. This adds a sense of possession and individuality, practice with fine-motor skills and, of course, fun!

Will making homemade music eliminate a fear of thunder? No. But it will allow the child to have a fun-filled time during a thunderstorm. Happy, memorable activities during a thunderstorm will help desensitize the child to storms. A rainy, thunder-filled afternoon will have happy memories attached to it and not just fear.


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