When a child goes through something frightening, the effects can look confusing to the adults who love them. A once easygoing kid might refuse to sleep with the lights off, melt down over a bunched-up sock, or grow strangely silent.

Every parent has moments when their child melts down over something that seems small. A toy breaks. A sibling takes a turn. Bedtime arrives.

As a parent, your list of worries and concerns really never ends. You might want to snap a photo and praise your child whenever they reach a new milestone, but what if you’re wondering whether they should be doing more at their age?