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Little Kids, Big Fears: Dealing with Toddler Fears Part I
Fear is fairly common among toddlers. However, as parents, it's important to know how to properly handle toddler fears so that they don't become phobias as the child grows older.
In order to most effectively deal with toddler fears, it's important to understand why toddlers develop fears. The toddler years are ones of great change. Toddlers are learning lots of information, but yet don't have the life experience to understand the irrational fears they may have. For example, a toddler can understand the concept that the vacuum cleaner sucks up dust and dirt; however in the toddler's underdeveloped brain, she doesn't understand that it won't suck her up too.
Toddlers also have a sense of how small they are in this world. Remember that to them, we're all giants. The large size of everything in their world can be intimidating to a toddler.
Another contributing factor is the toddler's imagination. While the imagination can be a great source of fun for a toddler, it can also be quite frightening. Being transported to castles is quite fun, while being transported to a witch's lair is not.
Remember, too, that toddlers also have a developing memory. For infants, out of sight-out of mind prevails. However, toddlers can remember events, real and fictional. Falling out of a swing, might provoke a fear of playgrounds. Watching Red Riding Hood may provoke a fear of grandma being eaten by a wolf.
Toddlers are also self-centered. All experiences can happen to them. If a playmate gets stung by a bee, so can they.
Finally, toddlers are more sensitive to other's emotions. If others are afraid or anxious, they can be too.
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