What are some common fears exhibited by preschoolers?

What are some common fears exhibited by preschoolers?

• A. Variety of fears, including nightmares and night terrors.
• B. They have no fears at this age.
• C. They fear only animals larger than themselves.
• D. They fear math homework exclusively.

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is that preschoolers commonly experience a range of fears tied to imagination and growing autonomy, including sleep-related fears like nightmares and night terrors. Nightmares are distressing dreams that wake the child and can be discussed or comforted afterward, reflecting normal developmental fears of the dark, monsters, or danger. Night terrors are different: they are episodes of intense fear during sleep, with screaming or crying and a confused or inconsolable state, typically occurring early in the night, and the child usually won’t remember them later. Together, these fears show how preschoolers navigate safety, separation, and imagination. The other statements don’t fit because this age group does have fears, their fears aren’t limited to animals or to math homework, and they’re not absent just because they’re young.

The main concept here is that preschoolers commonly experience a range of fears tied to imagination and growing autonomy, including sleep-related fears like nightmares and night terrors. Nightmares are distressing dreams that wake the child and can be discussed or comforted afterward, reflecting normal developmental fears of the dark, monsters, or danger. Night terrors are different: they are episodes of intense fear during sleep, with screaming or crying and a confused or inconsolable state, typically occurring early in the night, and the child usually won’t remember them later. Together, these fears show how preschoolers navigate safety, separation, and imagination. The other statements don’t fit because this age group does have fears, their fears aren’t limited to animals or to math homework, and they’re not absent just because they’re young.