v h fear.

Hal Halloween is another story. Witches and goblins galore! I dressed up as a ghost one year, a long time ago, with a sheet covering my face. An entire group of children screamed and cried when they saw me. I ripped the sheet off and the screams turned to giggles. Aha! An unfounded fear exposed. Still, I never ever did that again. When I play dress up now, I use make up instead of a mask. No use scaring kids unnecessarily, I think. They have enough fears already without me adding to them. Also, I can see better.

hav some monsters out there.

Fa  Fantasy is a critical factor in the child’s development. "Research shows that during childhood imaginative play, we develop our ability to think logically and creatively, and solve problems in adulthood. When you encourage…child to dream and pretend, he learns to use his imagination to see beyond what already exists, and give him the courage to explore the unknown." (Dorothy P. Dougherty, Pretend Play- Don’t Throw it Away)

hav afraid. Sometimes we can learn this by showing a picture of someone who looks afraid and asking why he or she thinks the person is afraid. In any case, we respect the fear. It is real to the child and must be dealt with.

The point: children may have some very good ideas, if we ask them, for chasing away the boogie-man. I remember, again a very long time ago, that day after day a group of children would play "Hansel and Gretel" when we went outdoors to play. With few props, and alternating the characters, they acted out the story of the 

hav threatening "bad witch", and the children's success in vanquishing the witch. The children initiated this play themselves, and in this way, worked out their fears. I did not interfere or interject myself into the play since they had it well in hand, but I did hang around the edges with my ears open.

Finally, we try very hard, don’t we, not to transfer our own fears to our children. This is especially hard for me, because I am very protective of the children. Best we station ourselves quietly when the child climbs (and he will and he must) than dragging him off the climbing, saying "Don’t do that! It is dangerous." At Better Beginnings, teachers station themselves as "catchers" near climbers or other such equipment. They are there to encourage and to provide the safety net.

hav about, (example, strangers) but we do it as calmly as possible; and 3) Finally, in the event of excessive unresolved fears, professional help such as a pediatrician or social worker is indicated.