Children aren’t born with a template of how the world works or how they should respond to it. From visiting the pediatrician to turning out the lights at bedtime, it’s natural to fear certain situations as their perceptions grow and mature. To better support a child in navigating these fears, here are three common childhood fears and how to talk about them.

3 Common Childhood Fears

1. Fear of the Dark

The fear of darkness typically sets in around the age of two, after a child has started to develop their own imagination. While an active imagination is a good thing, it can also be scary, leading the child to come up with all sorts of ideas about what is lurking in places they can’t see. The darkness also taps into a primal sensation that everyone, on some level, shares: fear of the unknown.

To help a child in this situation, pediatricians recommend utilizing a nightlight in the child's bedroom. You might also want to show them how to turn lights on and off and open and close the curtains to demonstrate that darkness is simply the absence of light. Once they begin to understand that nothing in the room is physically changing just because the light goes away, their comfort level at bedtime will begin to grow.

2. Separation Anxiety

The fear of being away from a parent, or the fear that a parent won't return, is a natural one that starts very early in a child's life. Between eight to 10 months old, an infant begins to understand the fact that when something is not in their range of sight, it has not disappeared but is simply somewhere else; this is called object permanence. Until this is fully developed—and sometimes beyond—when a parent is not within sight, the child becomes anxious wondering when the parent will return. For infants, peekaboo is an ideal game for reassuring a child that while they may not see you, you are still there. As a child matures, gradually leave them for longer periods with trusted people, starting with a spouse, then grandparents, then babysitters.

3. Fear of the Doctor’s Office

It’s only natural that a child will be scared of the place they go to whenever they’re not feeling well. Many adults can empathize when it’s time for their own checkups, after all. If your child expresses a fear of visiting the pediatrician, walk them through what will happen, emphasizing how each step is harmless and only meant to make them feel better. The pediatrician is a close family friend because they help kids get back to playing and going to school.

Fears are a normal part of healthy development. If you're ever concerned about a fear advancing into a phobia, consult a pediatrician for advice or a referral. Mante Pediatrics provides comprehensive pediatric care to children throughout the Chester County, SC, area. Dr. Mante and his team are here to support your child and help them stay healthy and grow into strong, happy people. To schedule an appointment with this trusted primary care clinic, call (803) 385-2075, visit their website, or message them on Facebook.