Home >  Information A-Z >  All Kids Information Articles >  Strange Fears

Strange Fears:

Many toddlers will suddenly develop very strange fears that seem to come from out of nowhere. One day they are fine, the next day they are scared of things they have been around their entire lives. The only way to really help your child get over these fears is to not make a big deal out of them. At the same time, slow exposure to the fear can help them get over it more quickly. The following is a list of some of the most commonly reported fears that toddlers develop:

• Animals
• Baths
• Toilets
• Trucks
• Airplanes
• Trains
• People
• Vacuum cleaners

These almost all have something in common—they are loud (or have the potential to be). Those are understandable, but keep in mind that it can easily be something that your child has been perfectly fine with all their life and suddenly they might freak out and are truly terrified of it. This is okay, in fact, it's normal.
Keep in mind, too, that this is not the extent of the list. Your child may very well develop a fear of one of these more common things, or something else entirely.

One of my daughters suddenly developed a fear of "neighbors." She never even had any contact with the neighbors, and the only time she ever heard me talk about them was to say something like, "The neighbors aren't home," or "I saw the neighbor and stopped and talked to her." I honestly don't think my child ever saw the neighbors. I'm not sure if she thought the word neighbors meant something else, or if she had a fear of those specific people, but she was terrified for about a month of neighbors.

So, don’t try to make sense of your child's irrational fear, unless it seems that there might be a reason to. For example, if they are scared of one specific person and only that person, you may want to question it, simply because you can never be to safe with children. Other than that, it's really hard to justify why your child is scared of something. Most of the time, if you just wait it out patiently, they will outgrow it within a couple of months.

Copyright 2010. All educational materials are the sole property of Kid First Internet and are available for the benefit of our parents. Duplication or use of any material requires the express consent of Kids First Internet.

Browse information articles by category:

Babies
Toddlers
Kids
Health and Safety
Nutrition and Feeding
Bathing
Behavior and Discipline
Diapers and Potty Training
Playtime activities and toys
Clothing
Napping and Nighttime

View All Articles

Kids Bedding Information Center:

Nursery and Crib Safety
Allergy Information
Kids Bedding Gift Giving
Bedding Themes
Crib and Nursery Sizes
Typical Prices
Bedding Production
Cleaning
Materials and Fabrics
Boys Bedding and Girls Bedding

Kids and Baby Bedding Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best kids bedding brands? A look at some of the best kids bedding sets.

What comes in the different crib and nursery sets? Know exactly what you are ordering - before you order.

How do I choose the perfect kids bedding gift? Here are three simple rules for picking out a wonderful kids bedding or baby bedding set!

How can I create a safe nursery? A short article on safety and kids bedding and baby bedding.

How do I clean my kids bedding? Tips and directions to make your kids bedding set last forever.

How long does it take for my kids bedding purchase to arrive? Read about why it is important to order kids bedding several weeks in advance.

Why buy kids bedding or baby bedding online? Learn why we can offer the best prices on kids bedding.