Do you still remember what you were most afraid of when you were a child? As most people get older, childhood fears and anxieties begin to seem unfounded.
But for young children, their lives may be filled with fears and worries.
All children will experience some fear or anxiety at some point. Even parents can have irrational fears when they are little, which they eventually grow out of.
In fact, it is good for children to be a little anxious because it makes them cautious about things. A little anxiety and stress are also thought to lead to improved performance.
If a child is afraid of exams, this will motivate him to study harder. Most fears in childhood are common and natural. Researchers have found that most children's fears fade over time.
So what are the common fears and anxieties that children of different ages have?
Children in infancy often feel anxious in front of strangers. When they see someone they don't know, they will immediately cling to their parents.
The baby's world is surrounded by the safety and calmness of its parents. Babies gain security from their parents' presence.
Frequent stroking, eye contact, talking or singing to your baby will help form a strong bond between parent and baby and build a foundation of trust.
Separation anxiety develops when they are 10 to 18 months old. When one or both parents are away, they can become depressed and sometimes start crying. They are afraid of the dark, afraid of monsters, afraid of strangers, and afraid of doctors!
Children aged 3 to 6 years old mostly develop fears of imaginary characters (such as ghosts or monsters) before going to bed. They also experienced fears such as fear of the dark, fear of sleeping alone, fear of thunder and lightning, fear of animals, and fear of the dark.
By the time they are 7 to 12 years old, they may experience fears such as fear of being alone at home, fear of snakes and spiders, and fear of doing well in school. They may also be nervous about how everyone sees them and deal with peer pressure.
When they grow into teenagers between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, they may have fears of rejection, fear of death, fear of embarrassment, fear of making mistakes, etc.
If your child is facing such fears or worries, how can parents help their children overcome their fears? You can help your child overcome their fears by:
1. Reassuring Your Child
Parents can reassure their children by listening to their fears. Parents can say "Don't worry, I'll be with you when it gets dark." Parents should never laugh at fears, never take them lightly or show anger.
But don’t be overprotective and give your children space to face their fears alone.
2. Downplay your fears and anxieties in front of your children
Many times, children learn their fears from their parents. For example, if a parent expresses great concern about the family's poor financial situation and constantly talks about it in front of the child, the child may start to worry too.
If necessary, share worrying issues with your children honestly, but reassure them that you have the ability to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
3. Gently help your child face his fears
Sometimes just talking to your child about his fears can help him realize that his fears are actually unfounded and will help him lessen his worries.
A parent's instinct is to protect the child from everything he fears. Instead, encourage your child to face his fears while assuring him that you will always have his back.
For example, if your child is afraid of the dark, you can help him by standing in the hallway a little away from the dark room. Stand there and encourage your child to go into the dark room and then back to you.
Assure him that nothing will happen and that you won't leave your place until he comes back. Be patient, but don't be overly insistent.
When your child enters a dark room and returns, you can tell him: "Look, nothing in the dark can scare you.I know you were scared, but nonetheless, you faced your fears. I'm proud of you! "
You may have to continue to boost his confidence several times, but continually encourage him to face his fear in this way.
If the level of fear or anxiety is very high and interferes with normal activities, it may be a cause for concern. A fear must never turn into a phobia. A phobia is when a fear becomes severe and extreme.
If the fear causes great distress to the child and persists beyond the appropriate age, professional help may be sought.
