page_title: Stranger anxiety
section_title: Dealing with stranger anxiety
hierarchical_section_title: Stranger anxiety / Dealing with stranger anxiety
caption_attribution_description: A toddler girl crying
context_page_description: Stranger anxiety is a form of distress that children experience when exposed to strangers. Stranger anxiety and stranger fear are two interchangeable terms. Stranger anxiety is a typical part of the developmental sequence that most children experience. It can occur even if the child is with a caregiver or another person they trust.
  It peaks from six to 12 months but may recur afterwards until the age of 24 months. As a child gets older, stranger anxiety can be a problem as they begin to socialize. Children may become hesitant to play with unfamiliar children. Foster children are especially at risk, particularly if they experienced neglect early in their life.
  The anxiety children experience when meeting a stranger is based on the sensation of fear they develop when introduced to an unfamiliar factor in their life that elicits the feeling of fear. They are not born with the awareness that meeting a stranger for the first time will cause them to be fearful. The child discovers this feeling when facing the stimulus, in this case a stranger, for the first time.
context_section_description: Since stranger anxiety can manifest itself suddenly or happen gradually throughout the development of the toddler, dealing with it can be hard sometimes because people are often not prepared to react to it or they don't even know what stranger anxiety is. Stranger anxiety should be viewed as a normal, common part of a child's development. 
  Since it is often characterized by negative emotions and fear, multiple steps were created to induct a feeling of trust and safety between the child and the strangers. 
  Addressing the issue with the stranger ahead of time, so that they can learn to approach the child slowly, giving them time to warm up. The stranger should be informed of the child's fear, so they are not hurt when the child reacts negatively to them.
  Holding child's hand when they are introduced to new people has been found to be a good way to create a feeling of trust between them and the stranger.
  Frequently introducing children to new people. Taking them to places where they might interact with strangers.
  Being patient when a fearful situation shows up will be crucial. If rushed, child can become even more sensitive.
  Gradually bringing new babysitters or child-care workers into the child's life.
  Showing understanding of the fears of children should be priority number one. Ignoring or dismissing these feelings will only aggravate the problem.
  Above all, the child's feelings should always be valued more than the strangers'.  Patience and respect are very important when dealing with stranger anxiety. A child should never be labeled or ridiculed for being frightened.
  Extreme anxiety can affect development, especially if a child is so terrified that they will not explore new environments and hinder themselves from learning.  Also, research shows that exposure to circumstances that produce persistent fear and chronic anxiety can have a lifelong effect on a child's brain by disrupting its developing architecture. While stranger anxiety is a normal part of child development, if it becomes so severe that it restricts normal life professional help might be necessary. Seeking the help of a pediatrician is recommended if the situation doesn't improve, or even regresses in time. Often, pediatricians will be able to find the origin of the anxiety suffered by the child and create a plan of action in order to rectify the situation.
caption: The child's feelings should always be valued
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