Evening star., 1942-08-28
Childhood Fears
Overcome by
Discussion
To RidicuIe Dread
Is Both Brutal
And Harmful

Bv Letfice Lee STREET.
Dear Mrs. STREET.: Whenever she
hears the fire engine my 5-year-old
daughter holds her ears and runs
until she gets to the house. Or If we
are riding in the car she gets down
on the floor until it passes by and
gets very upset over the sirens. Mrs.
A. G.
The newborn baby has natural
fear, that of falling. He loves to be
held firmly in strong arms and will
very often cry if held loosely. He
has another fear, too, that OF loud
and sudden noises.
But very soon in life he becomes
accustomed to usual sounds around
him such as voices, the radio, doors
closing and the footing of traffic.
But a sharp, unfamiliar sound may
make him jump with panic.
This nervous reaction to loud
sounds persists in some children
until they are quite big, and many
youngsters from 2 to about 6
years suddenly show this type of
fear which has not been In evidence
since they were infants In arms.
Such fear fancies are aimpSt always
associated with dread of the un-
known. aided and abetted by the
lively imagination of childhood.
In trying to find the reason for a
child's phobia it is necessary for
the parents to examine their method
of handling their little scarecat.
What is there in his home life, what
habits in training, what words used
In correcting him. what attitude on
the part of mother, father or nurse
are making him feel afraid and in
secure?
If the grown-ups around child
are anxious-eyed and nervous about
little things every moment, he will
acquire the same tendency.
If the fear can be brought into
open discussion it will very often
disappear. A little childs apprehen-
sion is not absurd, and the mystery
of the screaming siren, or the long
shadow creeping over the wall are
as terrifying to baby as many
dangerous ordeal is to an adult. To
ignore or dismiss this apprehension
is stupid, and to scof or ridicule is
both cruel and harmful. The fear
should be discussed and explained,
and all wide-eyed tales of terror,
should be listened to with respectful
attention. The subject should be re-
turned to, casually, because the
more the child can talk about it the
less afraid he becomes.
Equally important is the practice
of laughing, not at the child's fear
or at him, but at that which makes
him afraid. Fear hides from the
jolly face of laughter.
Mrs, A. G., your little girl will
overcome this fright if you handle
her as 1 suggest, feel sure. Some
afternoon, when you are taking
walk with her. stroll by the fire
house and casually suggest going in
to look at the engine. Firemen, ac-
customed to the awed. adoring looks
Of small fry gaping at the men and
the brilliant apparatus, are almost
always very nice to children. While
you are there, laugh at the fire en-
gine itself, initiate its noise, laugh
ing. You might say something like
this, 1T looks like big red tomato.
Imagine tomato on wheels that
can make such loud silly soundi
Suppose We had one instead of our
own car! Wouldn't you and Daddy
and look funny riding around in
itr'
Such childhood anxieties are per-
iectly normal and will be outgrown
unless parents allow them to remain
Embedded in the child's sub-con-
scious mind. AS the youngster be-
comes Older his fear will be hidden
by his growing ability to reason, but
1t Is nevertheless still there. 1t is
very likely to erupt later In life in
some other form. When this hap
pens we find adults who lack self
confidence, are insecure of their
abilities, neurotic, distrustful of
others, unable to make decisions or
who own many other unfortunate
traits that weaken an otherwise
strong character.
I have made up list of the
feods and vitamins that promote
the growth Of strong teeth and l
shall be happy to send it to you
II you will write me, care of this
paper, and inclose a stamped t3-
cent? addressed envelope
with your request. Ask for Leafiet
No. Fl.
YraekS Had Name