Why Are Little Kids Easily Scared?
All kids are afraid of something but what scares one child might not scare another. While some children are afraid of the dark and sounds they hear at night, others are afraid of thunder and lightning. Although fear is a normal part of a child̵7;s development, if his fears don̵7;t go away over time or begin to interfere with his daily activities, they could be a symptom of an anxiety disorder, cautions the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
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Startle Response
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Young children are commonly afraid of what is unfamiliar to them. Infants in particular startle easily. Whether a sound she hears or something or someone she sees startles her, you can calm your child by reassuring her that everything is all right. Purdue University Extension points out that touch is especially important to make children feel safe. As your child grows she shouldn̵7;t startle as easily, but until then you can comfort her when she's afraid by picking her up, holding her close or giving her a warm hug.
Developing Awareness
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As your toddler becomes more aware of the world around him, things he didn̵7;t notice before can frighten him now. You can ease your child̵7;s anxiety by talking about why he finds something scary. Children also watch grownups to see how they react in similar situations. Showing your child you aren̵7;t afraid can help make him feel less afraid. For instance, if large dogs terrify your child, calmly approach a dog you know and pet it. Although your child will see that you aren't afraid of the dog, teach him the proper way to approach a dog that is familiar to him. Show him, too, how to keep a safe distance from an animal he doesn̵7;t know.
Developing Imaginations
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Preschoolers have big imaginations and that sometimes can lead to unrealistic fears. For example, if your preschooler becomes afraid after you read her a fairy tale that has a mean witch in the story, calmly tell her there are no such things as witches. While her fear may seem exaggerated to you, it̵7;s real to her. Keep in mind that a child̵7;s fear is an instinctive response to something she sees as threatening. But as children get older, they begin to realize the difference between what̵7;s real and what̵7;s not. In the meantime, you can acknowledge your child's fears but don't reinforce a fear by making too much of it, points out experts for the National Sleep Foundation. Comfort your child when she̵7;s afraid and reassure her that she is safe.
Separation Anxiety
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Most children suffer separation anxiety sometime during the toddler and preschool years. Separation anxiety is a normal stage of development that stems from a child̵7;s fear that a parent is not coming back after leaving. Whenever you say goodbye to your child, take the time to reassure her that you will be returning. Eventually, she will learn that when you leave she can count on you coming back. Although this phase passes for most children, sometimes kids develop separation anxiety disorder, according to Kids Health. Consequently, they are afraid to sleep alone, have nightmares about being separated from their family and may even suffer panic attacks when a parent is leaving them at home or school.
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