You don't see a fear of feathers because feathers don't hurt us. Into their second year, their fears center around their relationship with their parents and fears of being left alone. Around ages 3 and 4, there's the fear of animals, snakes, the dark, monsters. This is the age where we most often see nightmares. At ages 8 and 9, school or personal failure, ridicule by peers and disease are common fears.
Older teens tend to express fear about changes in their bodies, isolation, sex and world events.
Whatever you do, Dr. Kendall says, don't force children to face a fear unless they want to. It wouldn't be correct to make them face the fear, for example, if they're afraid of snakes and they're put in a room full of snakes without being prepared first. It takes some coaching to help kids recognize that they have some skills. If parents know in advance about a situation that will most likely be emotionally upsetting, Dr. Kopp recommends planning ahead. If you're moving, introduce the child to the new home beforehand if at all possible.