New Fear of Being by Herself- 4 Year Old

A child, at certain age junctures, develops general "fears." Which is age based. My daughter and son go through that too. And they are overall well adjusted, confident kids.
The main thing is, don't make them feel like "scaredy cats" or to feel wrong about it. But let them express themselves and have validation.
They grow out of it.

But if something is really "wrong" and is causing her fears, then evaluate that... and perhaps talk with her. She most likely will not have a specific reason. But that's okay. The main thing being, that she know someone cares and talks to her about it... and she is loved.

Next, the book "Your 4 Year Old" is really great. (or "Your 5 Year Old" etc.) From www.amazon.com Although written years ago, it is still very pertinent and helpful in describing the age of a child and what they go through developmentally. Its an easy read. But real enlightening. It is a series for each age.

Again, my kids (and my kids are 7 and 3.5 years old), go through that too. Especially when it is night time. Kids have active imaginations and we can't exactly turn "off" their minds.

I give my kids flashlights to use anytime and to keep near them in bed too.

I remember as a child, feeling like that too... and being afraid of going to certain rooms by myself, even though there was no "logical" reason for it. And yes, scared of "monsters" and stuff. I was like that. Many kids are at certain ages. And my kids too. REGARDLESS of what we watch or not at home and regardless of how sheltered a kid is or not. It is just age-related development.

All the best,
Susan

My own kiddos did this too, It is a stage. She is at that age where her imagination are working overtime.
At this age my girls couldn't even watch The Little Mermaid and it took them years to watch Sleeping Beauty. THey are now 12 and 14.
I wouldn't be too concerned. Reassure her that there is nothing that will bother her, get a night lite and a child's cd player with soft music.
In less than 10 years she will be a teenager and her fears at 4 will be that distant memory of remember whens.

Normal. She is obviously very bright and imaginative. She is scaring herself. We gave out daughter a flashlight and also a walkie talkie.. You could use her old baby monitor so you can hear each other.

We live in a tiny house (less 900sq ft) and our daughter could spook herself going into her own bedroom at night. . Once we house sat at my SIL house. It is huge and spread out. The 3 of us all got spooked not being able to hear each other or find each other! It was funny to watch us come shooting out of the back bedrooms down the long and winding hallways to get to the kitchen! We decided to try to stay in the same areas of the house as much as possible.. Hee, hee..

My four year old daughter does the same thing. She is very independent, but does not like to go into her room alone for anything. I have to accompany her to her closet for shoes, sweater, etc. when we're going out. When she was about two years old, she would sit in there alone for an hour or more and pull every book off her bookshelf, sitting in the middle of the pile reading happily. Her room is usually darker than other areas of the house, but she never had a problem with that until a year or so ago. I assume it is just a phase; she just tells me that her room is "scary".

I had not thought much about the Disney movies. My daughter is a princess junkie (much to my dismay!) with quite an imagination (much to my delight!) and loves Sleeping Beauty, which she coincidentally started watching about the same time her room became "scary". Now that I think about the movie, the princess went up into a dark room alone and found the evil queen who put a spell on her -- definitely scary!

So anyway, I have no advice for you, only commiseration. Also, thanks for giving me a possible clue as to why my daughter's room is suddenly scary! Good luck!

Yes, but you've probably already tried to re-assure her. Could it be possible that any relative, family friend, caregiver has abused her and threatened her not to tell her mom? Can't leave out that possibility in today's world.

Take that possibility seriously until you feel confident. Perhaps even a highly trusted female relative she trusts and likes would ask her about it: after all, she may not have promised them not to tell them!

Do more asking of questions than reassuring. Repeat back what she says instead of being too ready to reassure her. Be a great listener. Assure her you can keep a secret too and that there isn't anything she can't tell you and you will promise to help.