Child Anxiety

The feeling of anxiety is a normal part of your child’s behavioural and emotional development. When introduced to strangers or separated from their parents, toddlers often get perturbed. Your child between the ages of 1-3 will go through a number of anxious periods as he responds to changes in his environment or routine. Common signs that show your toddlers development is on track are having fears of the dark, animals, loud noises etc.

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The Anxious Toddler

Your child will soon learn that things can go wrong as he learns more about the world. Cats can scratch, bees can sting, playmates may take his toys away or parents could be away from home for hours. On top of that, as he becomes more aware of his surroundings, he may respond to stresses that you don’t even think he’s responsive to (e.g., nightmare after overhearing a fight between you and your partner). He may even have physical symptoms, complaining that his stomach hurts. This distress is normal and over time he’ll stop reacting so strongly.

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Toddlers experience specific kinds of anxiety

Separation anxiety

Occurring at 18 months, separation anxiety does return sometimes well into your child's kindergarten years. Worries that you'll go away and intense fear when you leave the room or hand him over to another caregiver will see him cling to you or cry intensely until you come back.

Stranger anxiety

New faces, no matter how friendly will get your child crying and clinging until the stranger leaves. Toddlers may experience recurring episodes though stranger anxiety is strongest in the first year of his life.

Phobias

Your neighbours dog or riding in the car could terrify your child. This fear might have arisen from an actual incident, such as being cornered by a dog or seeing a car accident. It may also be common for children to have a phobia about one kind of animal in particular, such as snakes, even if they've never seen one.

Daycare or school phobia

When your child cries and pleads with you not to make him go to school, throws a tantrum as you leave or says, "My tummy aches", this maybe a sign of separation anxiety or perhaps that of being bullied or teased.

Shyness

If you child is shy, he becomes alarmed or withdraws around people or in new situations. The fear of joining a play group or taking up a class will also add fear if your child is naturally timid.

During this period of childhood, all of these anxieties are normal. With the possible exception of shyness, your child will outgrow them in time.

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How can I tell if my child is overly anxious?

If your child's fears or continuous worrying begins to obstruct his ability to take part in school, family or social activities, then you should be alarmed. And if your child's fear also does not go away with comfort from you, that is already another sign of trouble.

Consult your pediatrician if your child's anxiety is

• Interfering with family activities
• Preventing him from making friends
• Disrupting his sleep habits
• Becoming an excuse to stay home from daycare or school
• Disrupting his sleep habit
• Resulting in compulsive behavior

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