YOUR TODDLERS FEARS

When children turn two it is not unusual for once curious toddlers to suddenly be afraid. 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, a parent may have a hard time figuring out what is the cause. They could be as innocent as unintentional exposure to evening news.

Here are some signs that the child is anxious or fearful

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 Change in emotions (showing signs of being sad, clingy, withdrawn, or angry)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 your child’s childcare provider. Ask if they notice any changes in your child. Together try to determine what the child has been exposed to that is making them fearful.

Here are some strategies to calm little 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 spider, you are teaching your child 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 your child 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. Get some book about spiders, identify them, learn about them, become familiar with them. Above all remain calm when seeing a spider.
• Be patient. Remember everything is still new to your toddler and they are not quite sure what is scary and what isn’t.
• Take a good look at yourself and your home. Are there occasions, when at home, toddlers see or hear things on television that can make them fearful.   For example: Does your child get up at night and come to your bed when you might be watching an adult movie on TV?   If there is a disaster or newsworthy event, do you keep your TV tuned into what has happened. Often these troubling events are aired over and over again. Being patient and calm when your child is fearful will help teach your child overcome their fears.