During Halloween season, our paediatrician talks to us about children's fears, which ones are the most common, and how we can help.
Fear is an instinctive and natural feeling in humans that serves as a defence and protection against real or imagined threats.
All children experience episodes of fear, with the highest incidence estimated between the ages of 2-6 years.
In general, the most common fears vary according to age and developmental stage:
First 6 months of life: Extreme stimulation, such as loud noises, and a loss of support in caregiving situations, are causes of significant fear.
From 6 to 12 months: Fear of strangers and separation from parents/caregivers.
From 2 to 4/5 years: Fear of imaginary or supernatural creatures due to the inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. Examples include: the dark, strange noises, potential burglars, and monsters. Some children may also fear large objects, masks, and animals.
From 6 to 8 years: As awareness of the natural world develops, fears related to animals, natural disasters, thunderstorms, bodily injuries, and other fears originating from media exposure, such as diseases and death, begin to appear.
From 9 to 11/12 years: With school entry and the early years of schooling, fears related to academic and athletic performance, physical appearance, and the future arise.
From 13 to 18 years: In adolescence, the fear of social failure emerges, mainly due to peer rejection, concerns related to sexuality, and the persistence of fears linked to school performance.
How can parents help their children cope with their fears?
What to do:
- Talk to your child about their worries/anxieties, taking into account their age.
- Be empathetic.
- Explain to them that many children have fears, but with support, they can learn to overcome them.
- Respect the fear your child feels, but avoid giving it excessive importance.
- Monitor media usage. This includes exposure to scary images in movies, online videos, and violent video games. Make sure content is age-appropriate.
What to avoid:
- Belittling or ridiculing the child’s fears, especially in front of their peers.
- Exaggerating the fear by saying things like, “The doctor will give you a shot if you don’t behave.”
- Forcing the child to face their fears. Don’t pressure your child to be brave. It will take some time.
Dr. Joana Almeira Santos, Paediatrician at Grupo HPA Saúde
31, October 2024