The kid grows, along with the growth his needs change. After a year, the most important thing that affects the condition and development of the child is the family. The way in which relationships within the family are built plays a significant role in the development or overcoming of the fears of little people.
The age from one to three years is characterized by an increase in self-awareness, the separation of oneself from others, an understanding of the differences between boys and girls, adults and children begins to form. Closer to the age of two, babies develop a feeling of “mine. At this age, children still do not need a large number of people around, including their peers, but unlike the first months of life, when the baby first of all needed a mother, the whole family as a whole begins to play a significant role in development. This lived experience contributes to building a system of hierarchy in relations with loved ones, methods of interaction and communication are assimilated. Accordingly, if the situation in the family is unstable and emotionally tense, this contributes to increased anxiety, which is expressed in the general condition of the baby. This is a period of fears associated with the experience of loneliness, insecurity. Closer to three years, there is a fear of falling asleep.
The second important factor in the period from one to three years is actively developing skills in controlling one's body: the ability to walk, speak, use objects, control over physiological functions. For about three years, when the skills of interacting with the outside world become more developed, the familiar "I myself" appears. Even earlier, children begin to realize such sensations as "cold", "sharp", "painful". A visit to a polyclinic, where I had to endure a painful procedure, can consolidate the fear of people in white coats and injections that is most relevant for this age. This also includes fears of insects, falls, fire and any situation that could potentially cause pain or discomfort in the body.
PRACTICAL TIPS:
1. At this age, the atmosphere in the house becomes very significant. In a conflict-free and cheerful family, the baby feels comfortable, he is able to actively develop and calmly live some traumatic situations. In this case, the family becomes the guarantor of the stability and security of the surrounding world.
2. Babies from one to three years old continue to be emotionally attached and dependent on their mother and other close family members - for them this is a vital need, since building relationships with the rest of the world has not yet been formed. Therefore, any situation that violates stability will be perceived painfully. Of the most stressful here, one can single out the birth of the next child in the family, the beginning of a visit to kindergarten and placement in a hospital (especially without a mother) - if this cannot be avoided, it is necessary to treat the baby's experiences with sincere understanding and take all possible measures to be more with him, show your love, care and protection. Play with him more often, talk, hug, have fun, try to please - then any fears disappear quickly.
3. Be patient if the baby does not even allow you to leave the room. In order to let you go, he must first grow up to fully understand that the world is safe, and you will not disappear anywhere. And they grow, I assure you - everything has its time.
4. The fear of injections and doctors is a reflection of the natural human need to avoid pain. Having designated these sensations for the first time closer to the year, a person will always treat them as a danger. And that's okay! It is important here not to rid your children of this fear completely, but to help them live this experience with the least stress. To do this, never frighten anyone with doctors, but try to create a positive and kind image of a person in a white coat. Play "hospital", together "treat" bunnies and bears, tell about this profession and some stories from the life of doctors. Explain why this or that procedure is performed, how long it will last - even if the child is not yet able to understand everything, your very confidence and timbre of voice will help him to calm down and tune in. And never leave your little one alone with the doctors at this age, take him in your arms, stroke him, talk.
5. As a separate point, I would like to highlight a factor that can affect the general anxious and dissatisfied state of the child. As mentioned earlier, from one to three years old, our children actively master the space and capabilities of their body. If during this period parents prohibit a lot, do not allow their desires to be realized, try something new, prefer to do everything for the child, they interfere with the satisfaction of the significant need of the age - to know the world and themselves through “doing”, interaction with objects. An unmet need always leads to an increase in the general level of anxiety. Therefore, the most reasonable thing here will be prohibitions only in exceptional cases when some activity will harm the baby or, for example, when the mother is really late. Otherwise, wash the floors together, let the stubborn button fasten, pour the milk into the mug, and even cut the bread with a knife. Everything is under supervision, everything is together, but not instead of a child.
