Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Healthy Living/Brood X Has Arrived: How to Help Children With the Cicadas

Brood X Has Arrived: How to Help Children With the Cicadas

Brood X Has Arrived: How to Help Children With the Cicadas
June 4, 2021
0 Comments
By: Julia Anixt, MD

Say hello to the Brood X Cicada!  

By now, you’ve probably met a few of this summer’s winged visitors. If you haven’t, they’re coming. Billions of cicadas are emerging across the United States this summer.  

Brood X, also known as the Great Eastern Brood, has been underground since 2004, and they are currently surfacing and will produce the next generation of these fascinating cicadas. We are experiencing an extraordinary time as periodical cicadas are unique to the eastern U.S and emerge from underground once every 17 years. For some, this may be the first time experiencing this phenomenon, and while fascinating, these insects can also cause some trouble for children. 

Cicadas can be very loud, especially when there are large numbers of them in a single space. Their song can reach as high as 100 decibels. That’s about as loud as a motorcycle! They also aren’t the prettiest creatures. They have big red eyes and large brownish-orange wings, which can be scary for children who aren’t insect-lovers.  

But there is also good news about these buzzy friends: they are harmless. These insects don’t bite or sting. They are, however, clumsy fliers and may land on you or your child, which could cause some panic or anxiety.  

To help explain and prepare children for the presence of cicadas through the first part of this summer, Celia Schloemer from the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities created a social narrative. If utilized correctly, this resource can be handy for parents as the cicadas arrive and for future cicada appearances.    

The Power of Social Narratives  

Social narratives are a helpful learning tool to teach children something new or explain new situations. They are beneficial for all children but especially useful for children with autism, sensory issues, or anxiety. They prepare children and often reduce stress or worry. The power is in their simplicity. They are visual and use simple language, which aids in children’s understanding. Going to the dentist, the first day of school, getting their blood drawn, and cicadas emerging are a few situations where the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics would suggest families utilize social narratives.   

How to Use Social Narratives  

Social narratives are incredibly flexible! They can be paper or electronic. They can be all visual or visual with minimal text. They can be formatted like a book, electronic pdf, comic strip, or PowerPoint. You can even make your own using real pictures of your surroundings. The key is to understand your child’s learning style and choose the best format for them. Repetition is also important. Introducing this tool to your child once would make it difficult to understand all of the information. So, read “The Cicadas are Coming Soon: A Social Narrative” to your child before bedtime or leave it out in an area where it is accessible for them to explore independently to expose them repeatedly.   

Advice to Prepare Children for Brood X  

While utilizing the social narrative above is a beneficial resource for preparing your child for Brood X, it isn’t my only advice for you.   

  • Positively frame the topic of cicadas. Explain that this a rare experience to witness, and the next time they see Brood X will be 17 years from now. Let your child explore cicadas in their way. Take them outside and find a cicada for them to look at and touch if they feel comfortable.  
  • Explain to your child that Brood X will only be visiting for a couple of months. It’s important for children to understand that Brood X will not be here permanently and this is phenomenon is only temporary. Then reassure your child that cicadas won’t hurt them during their visit.    
  • While I encourage outdoor activity, if your child wants to stay inside more than usual, know that is okay. If the insects are causing a lot of stress, your child should play inside temporarily. To encourage being outside, you can research when cicadas are least active and take your child outdoors during those times—even if it’s for a quick walk for them to get some fresh air.   
  • Use noise-canceling headphones. We know cicadas can be extremely loud, and for children with autism or sensory issues, it can be very upsetting. Utilize noise-canceling headphones to help your child tolerate the cicada’s singing.  

We know these little creatures can be a lot for children to digest, but I hope that utilizing the social narrative and following the advice above, it will bring your child comfort as they adjust. For additional training and to learn more, please visit the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 

Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Related Articles

Vegetable Spotlight: Cabbage
Vegetable Spotlight: Cabbage
Frozen Painting | Pin of the Week
Frozen Painting | Pin of the Week
Summer Learning Ideas | Pin of the Week
Summer Learning Ideas | Pin of the Week
4th of July T-Shirts | Pin of the Week
4th of July T-Shirts | Pin of the Week
TAGS:
  • Child Development And Behavior
  • Home
  • summer
Avatar photo

About the author: Julia Anixt, MD

Julia Anixt, MD, is the Director of the Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.  She is a board-certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's. Dr. Anixt specializes in the evaluation and treatment of autism, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and developmental concerns in children with congenital heart disease. She has two daughters who attended child care programs from infancy through preschool.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • How We Do It
  • Learning and Growing
  • Meet The Team
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Stories
  • Pin of the Week
  • Radiology
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What Makes Us Different
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Sign up to get new blog updates delivered to your email.

Popular Posts

  • Caring for the Caregivers of Children with Congenital Heart Disease  2.3k views
  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 1.9k views
  • My Child Has High Blood Pressure, Now What? 710 views
  • Button Batteries: What Parents Should Know 645 views
  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 634 views
  • Laryngomalacia: Is My Child’s Noisy Breathing Serious? 591 views
About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2022 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center