While parents can't shield children from all changes, they can try to make changes as few and gradual as possible. Sometimes big changes are necessary, like a move to a new house. Once again, these fears make sense to the child. In other words, children believe lifeless objects are alive. That can be pretty scary if the object is a roaring-hungry vacuum cleaner or an all devouring toilet.
Children assume that animals also have human intentions and needs.
Many young children have trouble handling their own angry feelings, so fierce animals may be especially fascinating and frightening to them. As they learn to express anger in , acceptable ways, their fear often fades. Almost every parent has had to banish nighttime intruders from a frightened child's bedroom. Some of the creatures are leftovers from a TV program or movie. Others are simply products of a child's imagination.