Helping young children with fears

• Fears about cuts and bruises. Put a band aid on sores and hurts even if you don’t see the need for it.
  
  
• Fears about going down the plug hole. Let the children bath in a baby bath for a while, or at least don’t pull out
  the plug while they are still in the bath. Let them use a potty instead of the big toilet.
  
  
• Fears about nightmares. If they have a nightmare tell them that “It is only a dream”. Comfort them.
  
  
• Fears of monsters. Tell them that there are no monsters. Don’t look for monsters under the bed, because they may
  think that you believe there are some there to look for.
  
  
• Fears of separation. Let your children have their comforter or dummy when they need it. They help children to deal with fears. Children usually need to keep them until they are three or four years old.
  
  
• Fear of the dark. Stay with your children to reassure them. Perhaps use a night light. Let them sleep in the same room as a brother or sister or parent for a while.
  
  
• Let them know that you understand, and you don’t think they are silly or babyish. Keep to bedtime routines, for example thesame number of kisses goodnight or the same story.
  
  
• If fears are really interfering with a child’s life talk it over with a counsellor who works with children.