Which statement best describes fear in school-age children?

Which statement best describes fear in school-age children?

• A. They are increasingly fearful for body safety.
• B. They should be encouraged to hide their fears to prevent ridicule by peers.
• C. Those who have numerous fears need continuous protective behavior by parents to eliminate these fears.
• D. Most of the new fears that trouble them are related to school and family.

Answer: (D)

In school-age children, fears tend to arise from the realities of growing independence and navigating two main domains: school and family. As they face new academic demands, social dynamics, and changes at home, their worries often center on things like doing well in class, fitting in with peers, handling tests or presentations, or concerns about parental changes or safety at home. This pattern means that the most common new fears relate to school experiences and family situations. Body-safety concerns are more common earlier in childhood, when concrete fears about immediate dangers are prominent. Encouraging a child to hide fears to avoid ridicule isn’t helpful, and simply relying on protective measures from parents doesn’t teach the child how to cope with fear. Instead, guiding them to recognize fears and develop coping strategies helps them manage anxiety as they encounter new school and family challenges.

In school-age children, fears tend to arise from the realities of growing independence and navigating two main domains: school and family. As they face new academic demands, social dynamics, and changes at home, their worries often center on things like doing well in class, fitting in with peers, handling tests or presentations, or concerns about parental changes or safety at home. This pattern means that the most common new fears relate to school experiences and family situations.

Body-safety concerns are more common earlier in childhood, when concrete fears about immediate dangers are prominent. Encouraging a child to hide fears to avoid ridicule isn’t helpful, and simply relying on protective measures from parents doesn’t teach the child how to cope with fear. Instead, guiding them to recognize fears and develop coping strategies helps them manage anxiety as they encounter new school and family challenges.