Keisha's Phobia

Recently, Keisha was having a great time attending birthday party of her classmate held in McDonald's place. She had finished her spaghetti, chicken and ice cream, joined all the games and won several prizes for her efforts. She was even dancing and laughing with her classmates until the fast-food chain's mascot Grimace (or Ube, as she called it) came bounding out from behind the closed door. Upon seeing it Keisha finally ran and looked for me and the never ending hug that we have till the end of the party. She refused to join and continue the good time she have with her classmates. Even the moms encourage her to join again and keep on explaining that it was only a mascot, a man wearing a costume. They did not succeed in persuading Keisha to play and even ask me if we can go home early. We finished the party and its time to go home but still Keisha was holding me tightly and keep on asking if the mascot went home ahead of us. These are irrational fears. Fears that are normal to her age. At this stage they are basically being cautious. They don't understand. They don't comprehend to many things yet, so when something unfamiliar comes in, it causes not really fear but more of anxiety. They are ways on how to deal or help your kids overcome their anxieties. I teach Keisha to face her fears. I keep on explaining things over and over again and not making a big deal out of it. Tried to divert her attentions when fears come. And when we are going to attend parties, her first question raise is, if the mascot was present in the party? And now, when mascot is around, I tried to convince her to touch or hold the mascot's hands and let her feel the big mascot. At first, she was hesitant and still afraid to hold it, but later on she was comfortable and even wants to take pictures as a souvenir.