7 years- fear of dogs
Sam was afraid of dogs to the extent that he had to turn down his classmates’ invitations to their birth day parties if the was a dog in their family. His mom suggested to him that he might try to overcome his fear of dogs with the help of the Kids’ Skills workbook. Sam became interested because he understood that he would benefit from overcoming his fear; he could join his friends’ birth day parties and he could play with his cousins freely while his family was visiting relatives who had a dog.
Skill
Mother asked Sam what skill he needs to learn in order to overcome his fear of dogs. Sam said that he needs to learn let dogs come close to him and sniff him. This skill was written onto the Skill page of Sam’s Kids’ Skills workbook.
His mother found her son’s eagerness to pass his newly acquired skill to his little brother quite amusing, as the little one had never been afraid of dogs.
Supporters, naming and celebration
As his supporters Sam wanted to have his mother, father, grandfather, grandmother and two girls from the neighbour girls. He wanted to call his skill “Mimi skill”. When mom asked Sam how he wished to celebrate learning the skill, or overcoming his fear, he suggested that they would have a party with all his supporters and where his favourite delicacy, grandma’s carrot cake, would be served.
Practice
Sam wanted to practice his skill already the next day. When he saw from the window a neighbour walking her dog, he asked his mother to join him to go out. He assumed a squatting position covering his face with his hands and let the dog sniff him. The dog sniffed for a brief moment and then continued the stroll with the owner. This first experience of practice worked well. Sam was praised by his mother and right after he wanted to call his grandma to tell about his accomplishment. Needless to say he was also praised by her. When Sam had practiced for a few weeks, he had overcome his fear of dogs.
Follow-up
The planned party was organized and one day some time later mother noticed that Sam was teaching his newly learned skill to his younger brother. His mother found her son’s eagerness to pass his newly acquired skill to his little brother quite amusing, as the little one had never been afraid of dogs.