Is your baby afraid of thunderstorms?

by D Lin May 03, 2018

Even though newborns come into this world with no real understanding of fear, many react reflexively to loud noises or sudden movements. This emotion is slowly introduced to them at the age of 6 or 7 months, and the trigger points change as they age. Summarised below is a quick guide to how you to tackle your little one's changing fears as they grow up.

Age	Stages	Fears	What to do?
Infants (0 - 18m)	First frights	Strangers, i.e. whoever that isn't mum or dad Anything unfamiliar, eg. toilet flush	Sooth with hugs and calm words Do not force them to face what they are afraid of
Toddlers (1.5y - 3y)	Everyday terrors	Realising a difference between reality and make-believe what they were unaware of previously	gentle reassurance, explain and provide basic information expose them to their fears in a controlled setting, eg. be right next to them
Preschoolers (4y - 6y)	Wild flights of fancy	world's dangers + imagination eavesdrops from adult conversations	understand what they are truly afraid of establish a coping mechanism when scared do not over-indulge in their fears
Grade-schoolers (> 6y)	More grown-up concerns	still afraid of the dark and monsters concern something bad could happen to their loved ones	reassure and share the minute probability of their fears coming true

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/family/10/19/par.halloween.fears/index.html