TEN
TIPS ON THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF CHILDHOOD FEARS
There are different
fears at different ages of childhood. As parents you naturally
do your best to quiet and protect your child from any type of
frightening incidents. Unfortunately, you cannot protect your
child from all fears. Each age seems to bring its’ own set
of defined fears. Below is a list of things a parent can do to
help a child when he/she is afraid.
1. Respect his fears
and what he is feeling.
2. Realize that children do grow out of their fears.
3. Familiarize yourself with the kinds of fears which your child
will naturally experience at different ages.
4. Allow your child to withdraw from a feared experience before
you attempt to help him adjust to them.
5. Allow your child to gradually get used to feared situations,
i.e., afraid of dogs, let him first meet a puppy – afraid
of water, let him get wet starting at the feet working upwards
toward the head.
1. Make fun of his
fears.
2. Don’t feel that it is unnatural for your child to have
some fears.
3. Don’t become impatient and treat him like a baby because
of his fear.
4. Don’t shame him before others because of his fear.
5. Don’t force your child to face his fear…before
he is ready.
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Copyright © 2005 by Linda Milo and Empowering Parents Now. All rights reserved.
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