Fear is a natural human emotion that can be triggered by the perception of something being dangerous, painful, or unpredictable. A loud thunderstorm, going to the dentist, or taking a challenging math test may all elicit some amount of fear. Fear in these situations helps our body “stand guard” for what is to come, and it can actually act as a protective factor to help manage uncertainty of future situations.
Occasionally though, repeated exposure to situations that cause fear can start to become debilitating. For example, a student that experiences bullying at school may start to fear the possibility of being bullied and therefore becomes scared of school itself. Over time this fear response can evolve into high levels of stress and anxiety, which can cause behaviors of avoidance, irritability, and trouble concentrating. Addressing fear in children early on can help prevent them from becoming overwhelmed and decrease their risk for developing anxiety.
According to The Child Mind Institute, being attentive to what your child is fearful of is the first step in helping them manage their fears. While parents cannot be there every step of the way for their children, teaching them how to express and manage their fears in a healthy way can allow them to be successful independently. Help teach your child how to communicate when they are fearful of something, and validate their emotions. Work with your child on steps to mitigate the fear, or engage in positive activities that help alleviate some of the fear they may be experiencing. Encouraging your child each step of the way and following up with them frequently on how they are feeling will help prevent their fears from overwhelming them, and will let them know they have someone to turn to when experiencing their fears.
References
Adolphs, R. (2013). The Biology of Fear. Current Biology, 23(2), 79-93.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2012.11.055
Dunee, G., & Askew, C. Vicarious Learning and Reduction of Fear in Children via Adult and
Child Models. American Psychological Association, 18(4), 528-535.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/emo0000341
Jacobson, R. (2023, October 30). How to Help Children Manage Fears. Child Mind Institute.
https://childmind.org/article/help-children-manage-fears/
Schiele, M. A., Reinhard, J., Reif, A., Domschke, K., Romanos, M., Deckert, J., & Pauli. P.
(2016). Developmental Aspects of Fear: Comparing the Acquisition and Generalization
of Conditioned Fear in Children and Adults. Developmental Psychobiology, 58(1),
471-481. https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.21393
By// Valerie Jordan
Midwestern Clerk
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