“Mom, come sleep with me. I am scared to sleep alone”€. When your three-year old says this, he is expressing a deep-rooted fear! His active imagination, which makes it difficult for him to distinguish between fantasy and reality, may make him believe that a ghost will invade his bedroom or a witch will transform him into a frog overnight. He is experiencing cognitive leaps and a growing independence which puts him on his guard.

Here are some ways you can help your toddler handle his fears:

Comfort

If your little one is afraid of going to the washroom alone at night, accompany him a couple of times till he gets accustomed to the practice. Gradually allow him to do it alone, as relying on your protection from imaginary terrors won’t help him overcome them.

Encourage

There’s something fuelling your junior’s fear and you need to find out what it is so that you can allay his fears. If he opens up and tells you that he’s afraid of your neighbour because of his grey hair, you must explain to him that he is an old, but harmless man, and there’s no need to be afraid. Even if he isn’t convinced initially, he will gradually feel less scared talking about the ‘Man’. Move ahead to develop ways to overcome this fear of the grey-haired man.

Show reality

Your little one may be afraid of magicians and won’t agree to come for a magic show. Creating a situation where he can see the magician actually dress-up in his costume will surely make his fears go away. He will then realise that the magician is just a person like his daddy.

Magic time

If you are trying to rid your tot of an illogical fear like that of monsters or ghosts, it’s time to use your imagination and creativity. Prod him to banish the object of his fear by invoking the same kind of magic that brought about that fear. For example, if he feels that the ghost will come in from the window, ask him to line up his favourite books or toys to guard himself against the intruder. Or, ask him to think of phrases like “Go away monster!” to get rid of the perceived daemon in the cupboard. Then, the two of you quietly check that the coast is clear. Allowing him to wear comfort clothes like his dad’s t-shirt for protection will also help. But, ensure that this activity doesn’t become a habit.

These tips will make your tot’s fears fly out of the window soon!