TODDLER FEARS
When children turn two it is not unusual for once curious toddlers to suddenly be afraid. At this stage they are experiencing an overwhelming amount of physical, emotional and cognitive development. As the imagination begins to develop, so can a child’s sense that the world is a scary place. And just about anything may seem frightening. Since two and three year old toddlers usually don’t have the language skills to express themselves clearly, parents and providers may never find out the cause of some fears. They could be as innocent as unintentional exposure to evening news.
SIGNS THAT CHILDREN MAY BE ANXIOUS OR FREARFUL
1. Change in regular sleep and eating habits.
2. Change in emotions (showing signs of being sad, clingy, withdrawn, or angry)
3. Increase in crying or tantrums.
4. Nightmares and fears at bedtime.
5. Physical ailments, such as headaches or stomachaches.
6. Anxious tics, coughs, or body movements.
7. Renewed or more frequent thumb sucking or hair pulling.
If you notice any of these signs, you should talk to the parents. Try to determine what the child has been exposed to that is making them fearful.
STRATEGIES TO CALM TODDLER'S FEARS
• Don’t dismiss a child’s fear. Telling a child there is nothing to be afraid of doesn’t help because to the child there is something to be afraid of.
• Watch your own reaction. If you scream when you see an insect, you’re teaching the children in your program to do the same thing.
• Don’t avoid the object of alarm. Though you don’t want to force toddlers to confront their fears, you don’t want to shelter them from all the things they may be afraid of. Talk to them in a matter of fact and reassuring tone. Encourage children to tell you why they are frightened, sometimes just talking about it makes it less frightening.
• Gradually try to increase exposure.
For example, if a child is afraid of spiders find some books that have friendly spiders as characters. Do an activity with all the children to learn about spiders. Get some book about spiders, identify them, learn about them, become familiar with them.
• Be patient. Remember everything is still new to two and three year old children and they are not quite sure what is scary and what isn’t.
• Talk with parents. There are occasions, when at home, toddlers see or hear things on television that can make them fearful. Always let parents know when you observe changes in a toddler’s behavior.