My Toddler Fears Everything!
Your toddler is at an age when his imagination is growing rapidly, making him prone to worries that occur during daylight hours and especially at night. Nighttime can be a particularly sensitive time for toddler fears, and nightmares are common. The good news is that your toddler has a creative mind, and the same energy that creates frightening scenarios can be used to help him cope with these feelings.
One of the most important things for you to do is to validate the feelings he has. Even though you know that it's impossible for monsters to be in his room, he is not convinced. Talk about his feelings and tell him that boys and girls all feel scared sometimes—you did too when you were little! Open lines of communication between you will teach him that he can always come to you to share his feelings, and that you won't make him feel ashamed or abnormal.
Encourage him to talk about his specific fears, and to draw a picture of what they look like. Consider whether or not your toddler has been exposed to television shows, cartoons or stories that feature these fears, and try to limit them. Talk about the characters so that your child has an accurate interpretation of the media.
Finally, use this as a learning opportunity. If your child is thinking about wolves, for instance, then learning about wolves will help demystify them. Take some books out of the library or visit a zoo, and explain to your toddler that wolves live in particular areas and climates and need very specific food and water conditions to live.
If your child is still extremely fearful, he may need some extra time with you at night. You can offer him some special privileges with special rules attached, such as sleeping on the floor of your room for a few nights. Often, these fears are intense but relatively short-lived. The experience of working with you to help manage these fears will lay a strong foundation you two can build on throughout his lifetime.
Encourage him to talk about his specific fears, and to draw a picture of what they look like. Consider whether or not your toddler has been exposed to television shows, cartoons or stories that feature these fears, and try to limit them. Talk about the characters so that your child has an accurate interpretation of the media.
Finally, use this as a learning opportunity. If your child is thinking about wolves, for instance, then learning about wolves will help demystify them. Take some books out of the library or visit a zoo, and explain to your toddler that wolves live in particular areas and climates and need very specific food and water conditions to live.
If your child is still extremely fearful, he may need some extra time with you at night. You can offer him some special privileges with special rules attached, such as sleeping on the floor of your room for a few nights. Often, these fears are intense but relatively short-lived. The experience of working with you to help manage these fears will lay a strong foundation you two can build on throughout his lifetime.
Answered by
Dr. Lisa Fiore
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