Skip to main content

Managing your Child's Fears

Babies are fearless but when they grow up, fear creeps in their minds. They fear different things and sometimes their fears are irrational. The feeling of fear arises due to their imagination and curiosity. Read here to know about some different types of fears.
Image result for separation anxiety

Babies are unpredictable. In the early days of their lives they are like fearless, intrepid explorers. They go boldly into the great unknown. Then overnight these brave adventurers become scared of their own shadows. They develop the most irrational fears. They are scared of the most innocuous things. Sometimes you can't help but feel impatient when you see your child screaming hysterically at the sight of a dog or at the sound of the fire engine alarm. The whole thing seems inexplicable. 

You have to understand that your child's early fearlessness stems from the fact that ignorance is bliss. What they don't know can't hurt them. This is why the same child that cheerfully put her hand between the jaws of a dog, will later run away screaming at the sight of a barking dog. Somewhere along the way she has learnt that dogs can bite. As the child grows older, her imagination and curiosity develop side by side. She learns the potential dangers of certain actions and objects and the reasons why it is so. As she makes these connections, her awareness makes her cautious and sometimes frightened. 

It has been observed that these fears develop more often in children for whom feeding and toilet training have been contentious issues, or in those who have overprotective parents or who have been regularly warned or cautioned against doing certain things. On the other hand, some children are just born sensitive.
Image result for fear of dark
Fear of the dark

Fear of the dark is one of the most common childhood fears. This is also a fear that adults can most easily identify with. The average adult is not as confident and even a little shaky in the dark. The lack of the ability to see clearly acts as a spur to the imagination leading most people to imagine that somebody is creeping up on them. If your child is scared of the dark you can indulge her by leaving her bedroom door open or leaving a night light on. Keep her well occupied with games and other activities throughout the day so that she has no time to brood on her fears. In time, she will realize that there is nothing to fear.

Image result for fear of dark


Fear of death
Some children are scared of death and dying. They cannot understand what happens to their pets or people who die. This is not surprising as adults themselves are confused by death. Adults themselves find it difficult to comprehend the finality of it all and its relation to life. So how do you explain it to a child? Some parents choose to explain death in religious terms. They tell their child that the deceased has gone up to God in heaven. On the other hand, parents can just deal with death by saying that the person was old, weak and too tired to go on living. It is important that parents maintain a casual air and reassure their child that they will be around for years and years to come.
Image result for fear of dark

Fear at the movies
Some parents think that their child would find a trip to the movies a fascinating experience. Picking out an appropriate animated feature, they sally forth with the child. Much to their astonishment, the child begins to wail when the wicked witch appears in the first five minutes and demands to be taken home. Parents must remember that children below the age of seven often find it difficult to separate fiction and reality because of their overactive imaginations. Thus, movies may not be a good idea for children in this age group. 
Image result for supporting parentsImage result for supporting parents

A positive approach
Always keep in mind that while you may not understand the child's fear, it is very real to her. Ridiculing the fear or chastising your child for being a coward is not going to make the situation any better. Encourage her to talk about her fear. You must instill confidence in her by assuring her that nothing bad is going to happen and that you are right by her side. While it is important to be sympathetic, do not overdo it. Your child may get the message that her fears are justified.

Image result for supporting parents

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Homework - The extra Burden to kids and root for Stress

There is always a debate for Homework whether it should be abolished or retained. Many of us has different opinion in this regard. Like Ramakrishna Param Hans Said it rightly. Jata mat Tat path. ” The more opinion the more ways”   I also quote the proverb “ Practice makes a man Perfect” Mind it its man not a child. The moto of education is to make a child a citizen, a Human Being not Perfect. Thanks to Ministry of HRD who really heard the cry of these innocent minds. After long-drawn school hours, kids return home and immediately get down to tackling the day’s homework. Where is the time to relax and do other extra-curricular activities?Does homework need to be rethought so that it is less of a burden and engages the child more effectively? School-related stomachaches, headaches, sleep problems and depression are on the rise. Parents too have a hard time, often doing a major part of the homework to help out the child. Kids are all supposed to be having the physical activ...

9 Teacher strategies to improve average performance of the class

Being an Education Manager myself, it has always been my earnest endeavor to watch each student is performing at Their best. I have found that there is no magical wand that can help you improve average performance of the class. But it is a collaborated effort made by the students, their parents, and of course us as the teachers. Here are my ten recommendations of specific and measurable actions which a teacher can implement to improve average performance of the class: Increase parents’ involvement It is very important to share information about students’ performances with their parents. Its always to be persisted to be in touch with all students’ parents. Teachers make it a point to specially discuss with them their child’s academic performances and general conduct. They also make sure that I highlight where their child needs improvement. In my opinion, the more informed the parents are, the more likely it is that students will get support at their homes. When you interact with ...

Violence In Schools - Need to Address

Schools can make a difference in how violence is dealt with and in providing safe school environment, are they doing their bit? Is it lack of information about  misconduct - how to address it, hindering efforts to provide safe school campuses.  Hasn’t  sending  off time to the school for children as a routine changed due to recent news bursts lately? From waving good-bye with a confident smile, that you are away from me yet you are safe.  I have been waving off good-bye  every day  ever since my tween son and just turned teenager daughter commenced their preschool with the same confidence. It is children and moms or dads bonding time as we stroll joyfully towards the bus pick up point. We talk about anything and everything laugh and look forward to the day ahead with excitement. Every parent does the same. The Recent Incidences Off late, although I wave the same way as they head off to their school bus, and expect the children to come back from s...