Validate, Then Build

Start by naming what is real to them: "You are really scared right now. That makes sense." That one sentence tells the child you are on their side, not arguing against them.

For a fear that sticks around, you do not wait it out and you do not force it. You use graduated exposure: you approach the scary thing in small, manageable steps. Each step gives the child fresh proof that they got through it and were fine. Courage is not a speech you give them. It is evidence they collect, one safe step at a time.