Children learn anxiety later. However, he starts to show his reactions when he is about four months old. These anxieties of children are certainly normal at obvious ages. This teaches them how to harmonize and cope with their surroundings. A child who is afraid of the heat has learned that there is danger. What concerns are normal in this situation? What are children afraid of? What should children do to overcome their horrors?
Worry arises as a result of the realization of danger or the possibility of danger. It is a vital mechanism and in fact, it has a very valuable place beyond all feelings. Anxiety, which has an undeniable place for the development of children in particular, helps them make sense of the world and give it a situation, as what they should and should not do for their whole life. The sense of terror is shaped and evolved by the child’s growth. Sure-headed horrors give way to habits, teachings, and experience. In this change seen over time, there are concerns specific to every period of the child’s life. These are common concerns.
WHEN DOES CHILD TERRIBLE BEGIN?
It was learned that the onset of anxiety in children occurred with a reaction at an average age of 4 months, in a study conducted by experts. Explaining that the child experiences two types of anxiety until the age of two, psychologists also stated that these types are the most natural worries. Experts suggested that these are separation rush and foreign concern.
Separation Rush: Starting at 6 to 8 months of age, 13-15. It is the type of fear that reaches its highest level in months. In this type of fear, it can be triggered and observed in life events that bring the theme of “separation” to the agenda, after which school starts.
Fear of Strangers: It is the type of anxiety the baby has towards strangers. It begins in the first half of the first year and gradually disappears until the age of 2 years.
WHAT DO CHILDREN FEAR?
The most common concerns of children are separation and fear of strangers, as well as sudden noise due to the formation of impulses against bodily harm, objects or creatures that they have not encountered outside of their normal life, darkness, before sleep. It was stated that such anxieties disappear with the experience of situations that they have not experienced. On the basis of this situation, a 9-year-old child who is afraid of the sound of dogs can start to love dogs by patting his head as he gets used to it. These are types of anxiety that are overcome by the disclosure of uncertainty.
Differentiation and increase in the anxiety of children are seen in the pre-school period, especially in the middle of 2-5 years of age. For children this age, the distinction between reality and fantasy is not always obvious. The most common horrors during this period include the thief, imaginary creatures, separation from parents, darkness, loneliness, darkness, heights, being stuck in an elevator, fear of getting lost, and fear of animals.
Children between the ages of 4-5 have increased anxiety. The inquisitive child’s mind is open to development and goes where his imagination takes him. For children this age, the distinction between reality and fantasy is not always obvious. The most common concerns during this period include theft, imaginary creatures, separation from parents, darkness, loneliness, darkness, heights, being in an elevator, fear of getting lost, and fear of animals. It has been seen that the child who dreams of these stylistic concerns wants to sleep with his parents. Parents should not take him with them in the face of this situation, they should not be angry. Experts should report this situation in a very clear and understandable language that they are not real, that he will calm down and stay in his room until he falls asleep, but then he will return to his own bed.
The reflections of parents in certain situations are also valuable. Children can be influenced by the example of their parents. In this form, some concerns are learned. (In order that the mother who is afraid of the dog does not let her close to the dog to protect her child…)
Anxiety in children is caused by environmental factors. can also be caused. Because, like other feelings, horror also emerges by trying and experiencing. In the examples given by the experts, it is experienced that the child’s feeling of anxiety towards the shouting teacher at school, with the shouting of the parents. He may think that his teacher is shouting at him and start to get scared.
WHAT NOT TO DO TO A FEARED CHILD?
Experts, who made a statement under this title, which is one of the most frequently asked questions to psychologists and pedagogues, explained that children should not ignore, suppress, or underestimate their concerns, emphasizing that they should first of all say never but never. “What’s there to be afraid of?” “How many times have I told you it’s nothing but thunder!” given as examples of sentences that should not be used. In order to alleviate the anxiety, pronunciations such as “Is the man ever afraid?”, “You are a big brother now, you are a big sister” should be avoided, and the child should not be forced, judged or humiliated against the object of fear.
WHAT SHOULD CHILD DO TO OVERCOME THEIR ANXIETY?
- It should be checked whether anxieties are normal in the developmental period.
- The events experienced by the child, where anxiety may arise, should be looked at.
- It should be observed at what times or situations the anxiety increases.
- The child should be encouraged to express their fear and should not be judged. If he is afraid to talk about his anxiety, he should say “when you feel ready, I would love for you to share it with me and talk together”.
- The attitude of parents should be reviewed, if it is a very defensive attitude, this should be regulated. The child’s exploration and contact with the outside world should not be prevented.
- Parents should be understanding of their children’s concerns and take their concerns seriously. Otherwise, it may shake your child’s faith in you and the child may feel that “my parents do not understand me, they do not care about my concerns”.
- Should explain situations where anxiety is a normal feeling, where everyone is afraid of certain things from time to time, and even surpasses their own childhood anxieties.
- Emphasis should be placed on all security elements that protect and watch over him. The message “You are safe, there is no danger” should be conveyed along with the skin contact.
- You can make easy explanations, inform, read articles together, and make him listen to experts, within the framework of logic, about the things he fears.
- Music, anecdotes and visual materials can be used while making explanations.
- In young children, an imaginary patron hero or an imaginary box in which they can enclose their worries can be helpful in reducing their anxiety by using their imagination.
- Showing adequate and unfailing attention, affection and physical contact, and being a calm and positive model in worrisome situations help children cope with anxiety.
