The Brave Ladder

Think of a ladder, climbed one rung at a time, never a leap to the top.

For a child afraid of dogs:

• Look at pictures of dogs together
• Watch dogs from across the park
• Stand near a calm, small dog
• Touch a dog briefly, with you beside them

Name each win: "You stood near that dog for a whole minute." If they freeze, drop back a rung and stay there longer. Never force the next step — pushing past what they can handle just proves the fear had a point.