

Daily routines and rituals give a child a sense of stability and security, and may ease general anxiety.For example, if they are afraid of intruders, make shutting and locking their bedroom window one of their night-time responsibilities. For example, perhaps start with pictures, then try a very small, gentle dog that is tied up, so the child decides how close to get. Encourage your child to confront the object of their fear, such as dogs, one step at a time at their own pace.Give your child truthful information on topics such as death or war, and let them know you are willing to answer any questions.Let your child know that you take their fears seriously.Suggestions for helping your child include: Common fears include fear of the dark, burglary, war, death, separation or divorce of their parents, and supernatural beings (such as ghosts and monsters). Some fears are real and some are imaginary. Accept that you may have to help your child avoid the feared object for a while.Ĭommon fears for children of primary school ageĪs a child learns more about the world, the list of things they fear tends to grow.Don’t force the child to confront their object of fear, because this may make things worse.Appreciate that fears like falling down the plughole feel genuine to the child, because young children don’t yet understand about size and space.Encourage your child to talk about their fears and anxieties.Suggestions for helping your toddler include: Toddlers have a limited understanding of size and may develop seemingly irrational fears, such as falling down the plughole or toilet. A common fear for a toddler is that they will be overwhelmed by powerful emotions.
My days of taking you seriously how to#



Stressful events – such as parental separation, an injury or hospital stay.Overprotective parenting – a dependent child is more likely to feel helpless and this can lead to generalised anxiety.At least one anxious parent – children learn how to behave from watching their parents.Genetic susceptibility – some children are generally more sensitive and emotional in their temperament.Some children are more fearful than others. Help your child to deal with fear by taking their feelings seriously, encouraging them to talk about their anxieties, telling them the facts and giving them the opportunity to confront their fears at their own pace and with your support. Tactics that don’t work include teasing the child for being afraid or forcing them to confront frightening situations. For example, a fear of the dark or of monsters under the bed may give way to fears of burglary or violence. The sources of fear may change as the child matures. However, children can be fearful of situations or objects that adults don’t find threatening. In these instances, anxiety can be useful, because it helps protect the child from harm. Parents teach their children to be fearful and cautious of specific dangers, such as fire or crossing the road.
