ABSTRACT
It is important for professionals working with young children and caregivers to have a basic understanding of normative fears, as this understanding can assist in the identification of atypical or excessive fears. Consequently, this chapter provides an overview of normative fears typically in preschool-aged children. This chapter also provides an overview of the developmental trajectory of normative fears in this age group, an overview of how fears are typically measured, and an overview of the etiology of excessive fears. Overall, based on the available research, fears in preschool-aged children are commonly occurring, non-pathological, and generally follow an expected course. These developmentally appropriate typical fears should be differentiated from atypical, excessive fears, which are out of proportion to the actual danger posed by an object or situation and can interfere with daily functioning.
