Fear

A TV reporter shared this familiar quotation: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Wow! I've been there. Haven't you? As we deal with our own fears, we try to help children understand the psychological importance of statements such as this one.

They think in terms of immediate concrete situations, e. g. bad grades, bullies, abuse, hunger, etc. While this is real, they have trouble seeing the psychological significance of the statement. This is complicated by the words "The only thing" rather than "A major thing" in this quotation. When we study it in context, it is more understandable. I'll say more about that later.

ACTION

For children and adults, fear can interfere with the ability to think clearly and respond effectively. Fear can also impel us into corrective actions.

Every Time I Blow My Top, I Lose My Head!
This book helps children realize the psychological significance of dealing effectively with fear, stress, and anger. The book has a parent's guide. Children learn a variety of ways to handle stress. The book has a parent's guide.

Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney
The author uses humor and wisdom as he deals with this sensitive subject.

How to Do Homework Without Throwing Up by the author of Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney

Stick Up for Yourself: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power & Positive Self-Esteem
The reviews at Amazon.com express feelings about how this book has helped the whole family, not just the children. The title says it well.

A Teacher's Guide to Stick Up for Yourself: A 10-Part Course in Self-Esteem and Assertiveness for Kids: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power & Positive Self-Esteem

The Bully Free Classroom: Over 100 Tips and Strategies for Teachers K-8
The author is a professor in the Department of Special Education at Murray State University in Kentucky. He develops violence-prevention programs for public schools which he shares in workshops. His advice is mainly for use in the school setting but it is helpful for any setting. It is important to teach children coping skills. However, a book such as The Bully Free Classroom helps adults with our roles and responsibilities as authority figures.

THE QUOTATION IN CONTEXT

A lesson from U.S. history can help children understand the meaning of: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

"I AM certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days."

This is part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's inaugural address in 1933. The complete message is at Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States from George Washington to George W. Bush.

FDR's speech is pertinent for today. We need to remember these lines:

"This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper ... In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory."

THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR ...

This part of the quotation is made clear in the next paragraph of FDR's speech.

"In such a spirit on my part and on yours, we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. [stock] Values have shrunken to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone."

We can teach children about how this quotation referred to the material losses of The Great Depression. We were not at war. We can talk about how The Great Depression was overcome. We can talk about "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" vs "A major thing we have to fear is fear itself." We can relate it to the motivating or disabling aspects of fear. Expand vocabulary and comprehension. Be sure they know the meaning of the word, major. They might think only of an officer. Teach the whole sentence.

"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

The current national and international enemies of free countries would love to see us self-destruct by our own fears. On my Anger and Stress Management page, there are more children's and educators' books about coping.

OTHER LESSONS FROM HISTORY

I'm sure Roosevelt wasn't perfect. Are any of us perfect? How about our relatives and ancestors?

Great contributions have been made in the USA and other countries by people who weren't perfect but who have advanced the values of freedom. Dictators trash this kind of history. I've talked with a young woman from China who was amazed when she came here and discovered China's fantastic ancient history. She knew nothing about it! She had been told that the only history worth knowing began with the Communist Revolution.

Many links from my site show appreciation of US heritage. On my page, American Patriotic Music and Books, visit school sites and other sites with American patriotic information, and see additional resources.

America: A Patriotic Primer
This book helps young children appreciate many people who have shaped and preserved our country.