Baffling as such developments may be to
parents, this age of flourishing imagination is essential to a child’s
well-being. Unfettered fantasy is the magical language of childhood: It helps
the youngster adjust to the demands and frustrations of the real world by
sheltering him from it. More importantly, it gives him the daring to explore.
And imagining what can be is the first step toward true creativity – that
uniquely human gift that your child will carry with him always.
Fears big and small are a universal fact of
early childhood – probably unavoidable even for the securest of children. Your
youngster may voice anxieties as farfetched as “Are monsters real, Mommy?” or
as logical as “Will the doctor give me a shot?” The thing to remember is that
any worry, however silly it may seem to a grownup, can be quite real and utterly
daunting to a young child. As you offer your youngster reassurance and comfort
at such times, you should try to do so without using the words “There’s nothing
to be afraid of.” To the child, there certainly is.
Many common childhood fears, such as the fear
of strangers and fear of the toilet, result from developmental changes and
therefore appear at certain ages. These fears wax and wane and sometimes
reappear at later stages, but in general, children simply outgrow them. By and
large, if you let your child know that strong and loving adults are watching
out for his welfare, this will provide the security he needs to overcome the
passing fears of childhood.
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