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Infant Anxiety and Fear

It is normal for infants to experience anxiety when separated from parents, especially when they are around 8,13,18 and 24 months of age. Children must gradually learn that when parents leave, they do return. This is a major step in infant intellectual development. It does not make you a horrible parent if your child cries as you leave! Playing peek-a-boo is one way to get an infant used to a parent vanishing. The infant eventually learns to move the paper or scarf you use to cover your face to bring you back.

Infants have three basic innate fears: of sudden motion, of loud or abrupt noises, and of sudden approach. Toddlers and preschoolers gradually outgrow these as they learn to interpret their environment and to develop a sense of trust. But as they grow older they will experience other kinds of fears. Parents need to understand that fear is usually outgrown.

Common Fears

As a child grows, different fears may be noticed at different times. Some are very specific to an age, such as fear of falling for the 1-year-old. A bad experience falling as the child begins to walk may affect future attempts to walk. According to Schacter & McCauley, the most common childhood fears are:

Fears have a variety of symptoms, ranging from loud crying to nightmares to a withdrawal from certain activities. For example, bedtime fear might be appar-ent with an increase in nightmares. A fear of rejection might result in a withdrawal from activities and people. Fears can be found at a variety of ages, including adulthood.

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