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Fear is a common part of childhood. Most adults can likely look back at their childhood fears and think they were silly. However, for a preschooler, those fears are very real and fear is a strong emotion.
Common Fears
Many children have the same or similar fears. The most common fears children have are a fear of the dark, being alone, bugs, or dogs. Some children may have a fear of the doctor, getting shots, heights, or water. When you feel your preschooler is being overly dramatic over walking into the pool, remind yourself that it is absolutely normal for her to be afraid.
Talk it Out
Talk to your preschooler about her fear. Ask specific, leading questions about what is scary to her. If she is afraid of storms, ask her what is scary about the storm. Once you find out what it is about the item or scenarios that scares her, you can begin helping her work through the fear.
Acknowledge the Fear
Although the fear may seem silly to you, your preschooler needs you to validate his feelings. Instead of telling him there isn’t anything to be afraid of, you may say, “Wow, you seem really scared.” You acknowledging his emotions will help him feel more comfortable. Try not to spend too much time on comforting or that may become a negative reinforcement.
Encourage and Praise
Encourage your preschooler by telling her she is being brave or you know she can handle staying in her bed, because she is brave. Let her know you recognize that her trying to conquer her fear is hard and you are proud of her. When she makes progress, no matter how small, praise her!
Make a Plan
Spend some time talking with your preschooler about conquering his fear. Create a plan together of how you will take baby steps to help him overcome his fear. Be patient and support his efforts. It may take some time for him to be able to regulate his emotions and kick his fear to the curb.
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