Parenting Tips for Your 39-40 Month Old Child
Children’s thinking influences their fears. They confuse fantasy with reality. They think that objects are “alive” and do not fully understand cause-and-effect relationships. These are common fears for three to four year olds:
- Fear of separation. Preschoolers experience many separations from their parents. They are left with babysitters and they may leave home to go to childcare. When separating from your child, stay with him a while to help him get used to the new adults, children, toys or the room. He will feel more secure and let you go with fewer tears. Always tell your child that you are leaving. “Sneaking out” only makes him more fearful.
- Fear of baths. Many young children worry about going down the drain with the water. No amount of logical talk will change this fear. Allow your child to play in water in a pan, a sink and lastly, leaning over the edge of the tub. Gradually, the fear will go away. Never leave your child alone in the tub.
- Fear of dogs. Dogs are often loud, fast moving and unpredictable. No wonder some children are afraid of them. Look at pictures of dogs and talk about them with your child. Watch one from across the street and, finally, pick a gentle dog for your child to approach with you.
- Fear of loud noises. Loud noises from vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, saws, fire engines and ambulances are scary. Let your child look at and touch appliances in your home before you turn them on. Look at pictures of a fire truck and talk about why its sound is so loud. Teach your child to cover his ears to muffle loud sounds.
- Fear of change. Your child probably likes his world best when things go along as usual. He enjoys hearing the same story and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day for lunch. When things change such as dinner is served at a different time, or Mom or Dad don’t come home from work at the usual time, your child may become afraid. When you know changes are going to happen, tell the child and ask him to talk about the situation.
- Fear of the dark. Children are often afraid of the dark. It is OK to keep lights on or give your child a flashlight at bedtime. With time, you can reduce the amount of light. Some children decide on their own to turn lights off.
Learn more about Your Child: 39-40 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
