Most children will struggle with fears of one kind or another at different times throughout their childhood. “Fears are actually natural and helpful developmental milestones,” says Betsy Brown Braun, author of Just Tell Me What To Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents. “They help kids work out issues that are part of growing up.” (Hill, 2010) New fears often appear just as children are in the midst of making a developmental leap, whether that leap be a greater understanding of how the world works or newfound independence that leaves them feeling scared, insecure or vulnerable.
Of course, some of these fears can drive parents absolutely bonkers – especially when your child crawled out of bed for the fifth night in a row to escape a monster that, as you’ve already explained 4 other times, can’t exist. So for your sanity, we’ve assembled this information to help parents and caretakers address just about every fear a child may come down with.
General information on childhood fears & phobias:
- Common childhood fears: What’s normal for kids?
- What causes children to become fearful?
- Are fears in children a sign of abuse?
- How to deal with a child’s fears
- Overcoming fear in children
Information on dealing with specific childhood fears:
- Fear of the dark in children
- Fear of monsters
- Fear of animals
- Fear of dogs
- Fear of bugs & insects
- Fear of spiders
- Fear of bees & wasps
- Fear of germs / germophobia
- Hypochondria/illness fears
- Fear of food
- Fear of choking/swallowing
- Fear of water
- Fear of bathtubs or drains
- Fear of flying
- Fear of heights
- Fear of loud noises
- Fear of thunderstorms
- Fear of school
- Fear of failure
- Fear of death (This link takes you to our death & bereavement book.)
- Fear of people, crowds & strangers
- Fear of amputees/disabled people
- Fear of people of different races
- Fear of clowns
- Fear of the doctor
- Fear of the dentist (this link takes you to our Health & Medical area.)
- Fear of policeman/people in uniform
See also:
- Perfectionism in Children: Kids Who Try Too Hard
- Bias In Children
- Helping Children Cope With Failure
- Race & Racism Among Children
- Fear In Children
- Fearful & Anxious Children: Why Kids Become Fearful
- How To Deal With A Child’s Fears
- Are Fears In Children A Sign Of Abuse?
- Helping Children Overcome Their Fears
- Fear Of The Dark In Children
- Fear Of Monsters In Children
- Fear Of Animals In Children
- Fear Of Dogs In Children
- Fear Of Bugs & Insects In Children
- Common Childhood Fears
- Children Afraid Of Food
- Hypochondria & Fear Of Illness In Children
- Fear Of Bees & Wasps In Children
- Germophobia & Fear Of Germs In Children
- Fear Of Heights In Children
- Children Afraid Of Vomiting, Choking, or Swallowing
- Children Who Are Afraid Of Water
- Children Who Fear The Bathtub, Toilet, Or Drains
- Fear Of Flying In Children & Adults
- Arachnophobia & Fear Of Spiders In Children
- Children Who Are Afraid Of People
- Childhood Fear Of Failure
- Children Who Are Afraid Of Amputees & People With Disabilities
- Children Afraid Of People Of Different Races
- Children Who Fear Clowns Or People In Costumes
- Children Who Are Afraid of the Doctor
- Children Who Fear Police & Other People In Uniform
- Children Afraid Of Thunderstorms & Lightning
- Fear Of School In Children
- Sleep Issues In Children
- Bedtime Routines: Child Sleep Solutions For A Better Bedtime
- Better Naps & Naptimes for Children
- Child Sleep Facts & Statistics
- Children Who Talk In Their Sleep
- Getting Children To Sleep
- Getting Kids To Sleep In Their Own Bed
- Getting Your Baby To Sleep Better
- Getting Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night
- Helping Children Fall Asleep: Some Tricks & Techniques
- Helping Teens Get the Sleep They Need
- How Technology Can Disrupt Sleep
- Insomnia In Children
- Night Terrors In Children
- Nightmares In Children
- Restless Leg Syndrome In Children
- Sleep Disturbances In Children
- Sleep For Babies
- Sleep Guidelines & The Recommended Hours of Sleep For Children
- Sleep Paralysis In Children & Nightmare Visits
- Sleep Problems In Children
- Sleep Studies For Children
- Sleep Times & Bed Times For Children
- Sleep Training For Children
- Sleep Walking In Children
- Snoring In Children
- The Importance Of Sleep For Children
- Using Melatonin To Help A Child Sleep
- Stress in Children
- Bragging In Children
- Sex & Children
- Childhood Crushes
- How To respond to Children’s Sexual Play or Behavior
- How To respond to Children’s Sexual Play or Behavior
- Sexual Behavior In Children
- Sexual Behavior In Children
- Sexual Play Among Children
- Sexual Play Among Children
- Erections In Children
- Sexting Among Children & Teens
- The Importance of Raising A Sexually Healthy Child
- Masturbation in Children
- Kids Viewing Porn
- References & Bibliography
- Attention Seeking Behavior in Children
- Disturbing Artwork by Children