Parental Panic Can Worsen Child Injuries, Montessori Educator Warns
PARIS – A Montessori educator is advising parents to consciously manage their reactions when their children are hurt, cautioning that parental panic can actually amplify a child’s distress adn lead them to believe they are in greater danger than the injury warrants. The educator’s advice, recently shared with Marie France, centers on remaining calm and reassuring, rather than mirroring a child’s initial reaction with visible alarm.
According to the educator,a parent’s panicked response communicates to a child,”It’s really serious! You’re not safe,” triggering a reciprocal panic.This can manifest as increased crying and shaking, not necessarily due to the pain of the injury itself, but because the parent’s reaction “amplifies the situation.” The core issue isn’t the injury, but the parent’s struggle to maintain composure.
The educator recommends parents take a deep breath and approach the child calmly, acknowledging the surprise of the fall and then assessing the injury together: “You fell, it must have surprised you! Let’s see what you did to yourself.” This approach also involves accepting a child’s tears without dismissing their pain, fostering confidence and independence as they navigate minor challenges. The advice is particularly relevant for parents described as “overprotective helicopter parents,” who may find this approach initially arduous.
