Should you panic? No. First, realize that everyone has some anxieties, even adults. Next, recognize that some fear is good. In “Childhood Fears and Anxieties,” WebMD quotes an expert as saying that, without fear, we’d “jump headlong” into dangerous situations. KidsHealth.org adds that, “Dealing with anxieties can prepare young people to handle the unsettling experiences and challenging situations of life.”
You can also take comfort that many preschoolers share fears in common, which reinforces their role in natural child development. According to WebMD, the following fears are common ones for preschoolers:
Although some of these fears can come from actual situations, much arises from your preschooler’s developing imagination. The reality is that children can often distinguish the real from the imaginary by the age of 4 or 5 – until fear kicks in.
The Women’s and Children’s Health Network, a South Australian agency, reminds us that children (and most adults!) fear things they cannot understand or control, which includes new situations and objects. And, let’s face it. Because your preschoolers are young, much of the world feels new to them.
Anxiety can be passed along from parent to child, so remain calm and confident when dealing with your preschooler’s fears and don’t act as though you believe the fears are real (unless they do have a factual basis). Be open with your child and give age-appropriate information about those fears.
Here are more tips; these are from WebMD:
Meanwhile, KidsHealth.org points out that, as your child grows, one fear may replace another. As an example, a child afraid of the dark as a preschooler may grow up to love scary ghost stories but then develop another fear.
How do you know? The first step is to recognize signs of fear. KidsHealth.org lists these symptoms of anxiety and fear:
Okay. So you are pretty sure your child is anxious. The next step is to consider whether or not your preschooler’s fear is age-appropriate. If so, it’s likely to disappear as he or she grows and steps included in this blog should help. But, if the fear appears out of proportion – and is a consistent pattern – consider seeking outside help, perhaps starting with your family doctor.
If you’re looking for a quality affordable preschool/child care program that provides educational programs and enrichment experiences that help prepare your child for K-12, contact the Horizon Education Center in your neighborhood.