3 Yo Afraid to Go to School Because of Fire Alarm

sometimes although fears manifest themselves in other aspects of our lives such as for example, your grandson fearing firing alarms, there could be something more to it.. that sound might trigger something deeper.. Can you find a place that is very calming for him and see IF when he is in that calmer state if he will open up to you.. just ask simple questions and see if he can try and talk about how he feels. DON'T make it just about the fire alarm, but see if he expresses other feelings around it.. the fire alarm may simply be the trigger to something bigger or not...he's young and therefore cannot express in depth why the alarm evokes such emotion in him. Truly, it may not be the alarm. I truly think the alarm is only a symptom... Could be that your grandson having heard that alarm equates being left at school with that sound??? I mean the subconscious mind tries to make sense of our every day life even if it means being irrational... like >> alarm = being left= feeling vulnerable = ANXIETY and once anxiety kicks in... it's hard for a little one to know how to handle it.. in a way it's good that he cries in that he is releasing some of that anxiety physically and emotionally..
I would see this less as the alarm but more about anxiety... which many small children do experience when first entering preschool..

I wish you the best

I have a student this year in 4th grade who has those exact same fears. We had the actual alarm go off right before winter break, and it caused a meltdown for the poor kid. Has he seen a counselor or social worker about this? I would send him to someone to try and help. Is there a social worker at the school? If not, seek professional counseling, which may be a good bet, too. Poor little guy!

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He should be warned the next time there will be a fire alarm. Assure him they will not surprise him with another alarm and than practice by having an fire drill soon so he experiences it in a better way. He should be taken outside ahead of the other students by the teacher aide. the alarms can be very loud and scary and the school should work with him to help him not be terrified. Also the school should be checked, some school have their alarms too loud and it could hurt little ears

I like the idea of the book. My suggestion was going to be to take him to a local fire dept and let him see the fire truck, and learn from the fire-men why those alarms are there.

Those alarms ARE LOUD. I am surprised that they are allowed to be so incredibly loud as I am sure they are breaking decible level laws. I used to go to see live bands in clubs and these alarms even hurt MY ears (when we have to walk past them to go outside).

I say in the future, let him be the 'helper' and let him take part in the fire drill instead of freaking him out. On the day of the next drill, if possible, let him press the button or go to the principal's office to hear her call the fire dept to tell them they're having a drill. Maybe even get him a fire-man hat to wear while he helps the principal make the call.