We all have fears, and mostly we live with them and around them. Among my friends and family are people who are afraid of, or at least very anxious about, spiders and snakes, lifts, bridges, the London Underground, taxis, security and fire alarms, heights, flying, cheese and tofu, mushrooms...and that's just the grown-ups.
If I add the fears of children I know, there are dogs, horses, monsters, ghosts, lightning, someone outside the window, daddy longlegs, all runny foods like sauces, soups and yoghurt, the dark, the light, murderers, kidnappers... the list goes on and on.
Are these fears rational or irrational? Who is to say? I expect we have all tried to persuade someone that their fear is irrational. Think of the times, for example, that you hear people tell someone with a fear of flying that they are far more likely to die in a car crash than aeroplane crash. I have never known that argument to change anyone's fear of flying.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
