Fears

F	FEARS are common in all human beings.  We are born with the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises.
E	EXPECT fears to increase as children grow and their world?fs expand.  Fears often change form over the years.  Un-comforted fears last.
A	ADULT?fS ATTITUDE towards children?fs fears play an important role.  NEVER make fun of a child?fs fears.  Never force them to deal with the fear alone.
R	RESPOND to fears with respect.  Be calm, reassuring and stay with the child.  Help a child to understand the physical feelings that come with fear such as racing heart beat, sweaty palms, etc.
S	SECURITY OBJECTS should help to comfort the child.  Use night lights, blankets, animals, magic words, etc.

Common Childhood Fears

Fear	Approximate Age
Being dropped	Early Infancy
Strangers	6 mos.- 4 yrs.
Separation from Caregivers	6 mos.- 5 yrs.
Toilets, drains	1-2 1/2 yrs.
The dark	2-10 yrs.
Animals (esp. Large, unrestrained)	2-7 yrs.
Costumed characters, masks	2 1/2- 5 yrs.
Monsters, ghosts, bad guys	3-6 yrs.
Loud noises (thunder, sirens)	3 mos. - 3 yrs.
Sleeping alone or staying alone	4-8 yrs.
Bodily Injury, Illness	5-12 yrs.
Media event (disasters, crashes)	7-10 yrs.
School Performance	9 yrs and up
Physical appearance	9 yrs. and up
Death (as understood by an adult)	9 yrs. and up
Social Ineptness	10 yrs. and up

Books for Adults

• Touchpoints
  by Barry Brazelton
• Your Baby and Child
  by Penelope Leach

Books for Children

• Berenstein Bears in the Dark
  by Jan and Stan Berenstein
• What a Bad Dream
  by Mercer Mayer
• Nightmare in My Closet
  by Mercer Mayer
• Going to Day Care
  by Fred Rogers
• The Dead Bird
  by Margaret Wise Brown

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