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How Can I Help My Child Overcome Strong Fears of Everyday Things?


It can be really tough when your child is terrified of things that seem small or ordinary, like hand dryers, dogs, car rides, or unfamiliar people. These fears might seem like “overreactions” at first, but for your child, they feel very real and very big.


This blog post is here to provide gentle, educational guidance. It’s not a replacement for individualised therapy or professional support, but it may help you understand what’s happening in your child’s nervous system and offer ideas to support them in safe, validating ways.


Understanding Fear Through a Neuroaffirming Lens

Fear is not a behaviour to fix; it’s a nervous system response trying to protect your child from something that feels threatening.


Children (especially neurodivergent children) may experience everyday situations as unpredictable, overwhelming, or unsafe due to:

  • Sensory sensitivities

  • Communication differences

  • Past experiences

  • Social or learning challenges

  • Executive functioning differences


💡 When fear shows up, it’s not because your child is being dramatic or defiant - it’s because their brain is working overtime to keep them safe.


What Happens in the Brain?


When a child is scared, the amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) sends out signals to prepare the body for danger. This overrides the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain that helps with logic, problem-solving, and reasoning.


In other words, your child isn’t choosing to act fearful or shut down. Their brain is doing what it is wired to do, which is protect them. They will need connection and safety before they can think, talk, or try again.


Practical Ways to Gently Support Your Child


1. Validate the fear first

Start with connection over correction. Consider saying: “That felt really scary for you. I’m here.”


Avoid phrases like “It’s not a big deal” or “Don’t be silly,” which can make your child feel ashamed of their emotions.


🎨 Tip: Invite your child to draw, act out, or name their fear using characters or play (outside of these intense moments when they feel fearful). This externalises the emotion and gives you both a shared language.


2. Regulate before you reason

When the fear response is activated, logic won’t land. Help your child calm their body before talking about what happened.


Use co-regulation strategies like:

  • Deep breathing together

  • Rocking or gentle pressure

  • Squeezing a stress ball or hugging a pillow

  • Soft, rhythmic voice and presence


🪐 You’ll find over 100 strategies in The Galaxy Guide to Running My Rocket that help children learn how to name, manage, and move through big feelings.


3. Break it down into micro-steps

Let’s say your child is afraid of going in the car. The goal isn’t to force them through the whole process, but to build confidence through small, manageable steps like:

  • Sitting in the parked car for a few minutes

  • Listening to favourite music in the car

  • Turning the car on while staying in the driveway


Each step is a celebration. Each moment of bravery builds trust.


4. Create predictable supports

Fear thrives in the unknown. Predictability and safe routines help kids feel more in control. Try:

  • Using a visual schedule or story

  • Talking through what will happen next

  • Building a “safe exit” plan or signal

  • Including comfort items or sensory tools


A child who knows what to expect feels less overwhelmed by what might happen.


5. Model calm and flexibility

Your calm presence shows your child they are not alone. You don’t have to have it all together. Just being there, breathing with them, and showing patience makes a huge difference.


Say things like: “You don’t have to do it today. We’ll try again when you’re ready" or “It’s okay to be scared. I’ve got you.”


This creates safety without pressure.


Use Tools that Speak Their Language


🧠 Kids often learn best through play, stories, and imagination. The Galaxy Guide to Running My Rocket is a therapist-designed resource that gives kids a playful way to:

  • Understand what’s happening in their body

  • Explore strategies to calm their “rocket”

  • Use visual tools like the Rocket Meter to name emotions and stress levels


It’s fun, evidence-based, and deeply supportive for children learning to express and regulate their emotions.


When to Seek Extra Support


If your child’s fears are starting to interfere with their daily life, such as avoiding places, struggling to sleep, or showing intense distress, it’s a good idea to reach out to a trusted professional. Occupational therapists, psychologists, and counsellors can help your child learn regulation strategies tailored to their individual needs.


Gentle Reminders

  • Your child is not being difficult. They are doing their best with the tools they have.

  • You don’t need to rush the process. Small progress is still progress.

  • You are the safe base your child needs to feel brave.



How You Can Help Support Emotional Regulation


The Galaxy Guide to Running My Rocket stands out among other emotional regulation tools with its unique rocket journey concept, emphasis on internal needs, and focus on promoting co-regulation towards self-regulation in a neurodiverse-affirming way. By utilising this resource, children gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and develop the skills needed to navigate them successfully, leading to enhanced emotional well-being.





Want to Learn More About Ready Rocket Strategies in Action?


💻 Ready Rocket has a range of supports for parents, professionals, and educators who want to confidently guide children through big emotions in a way that’s supportive, science-informed, and truly neuroaffirming.



Choose the Path That’s Right for You:



👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Online Emotions Workshop – Parents & Carers

🕒 4-hour self-paced training


Gain the tools and knowledge to support your child through emotional dysregulation with confidence and compassion.





🧠 Online Emotions Workshop – Therapists & Allied Health Professionals

🕒 4.5-hour self-paced training


Learn a developmentally-informed, neuroaffirming approach to regulation support for diverse clients and therapy goals.





🏫 Ready Rocket School Learning Program – Educators


A classroom-ready, whole-school emotional regulation program built on the same powerful framework with extension into these concepts and more! Includes developmentally tailored content for Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, and Year 2.


Perfect for early childhood and primary teachers looking for practical, evidence-aligned emotional literacy education.




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