My 3yr old all of the sudden scared of his favorite things!

My husband and I have a 3 year old... He will be 4 in October. He is a normal 3 year old, loves to play outside, swing, slide, swim ect... He's an only child (so far) and has every toy he has ever wanted... and kid movies!
He has his own tv, BFF and dvd player in his room, which he would BEG to watch at naptime and before bed! Within the last month or so, he is scared of all his movies.... and his tv for that matter! Which leads into him being scared of all his favorite toys... ie... favorite movie characters. Toy Story, spiderman, scooby doo, Thomas the Train, sponge bob, Cars?? He even asks us to take out toys from his room while he is napping or at bedtime, like Buzz Lightyear and all his Cars characters... and I do. I've asked around to people with toddlers and have heard that maybe he is putting two and two together and thinking that his Toy Story toys are going to get up and play while he is sleeping like it shows in the movie, which makes sends, but he is now scared of all of his toys that he has seen on tv along with any cartoon movie, even if we rent him a kid movie from the redbox.... Has anyone else seen this in their child?
And this being scared of his toys is ONLY at naptime and bedtime, he will play with them during the day with us, but he doesn't want to see or hear the movies at anytime day or night. Any help? Thank you!

[specialmom]

Hi.  Well, I do think kids get more in tune with what they are watching and internalize it more as they develop. Disney movies are actually pretty scary if you think about some of the things  that happen in them.  Our pediatrician actually warned us about them early on and didn't recommend them.

Hey, I think this is your opportunity to get that tv out of his room!  Most would say this isn't a great idea anyway.  If you make tv more of a treat rather than the expectation that it is on whenever one wants is really helpful down the road.  I'm not anti tv although I do watch programming and keep it to age related things.  No cartoon network stuff and actually they've done studies where spongebob revvs up the neurological system and isn't great for kids to be able to concentrate or focus after they watch it.

So, I'd get that tv ot of his room now and not ever put it back.  Just me though.  

And I'd just go along with him now for the toys being moved at nap time.  I would assume it is that he is more savvy in his thinking but hasn't come far enough to seperate a movie from real life.  My son's were terrified of Halloween decorations at age 4 by the way so prepare yourself for that.  I love Halloween but had a year I had to tone down the decorating.  It is all better now as it didn't last all that long.  

Okay, good luck.  sounds like you love your little guy a lot.  I am sure he will grow out of this.  Peace

[Ang0880]

Thank you for your response. And although his tv hasent been turned on in months, my husband and I do agree with you that this is the perfect opportunity to get it out of his room. The only thing he watches now is pbs kids on channel 9. We don't have cable.
And the cartoon movies are definetly more realistic now days.

[specialmom]

Yes, I do think he'll outgrow it.  I didn't make a huge deal out of what my kids were scared of.  I didn't give them a lot of attention.  They moved on and i'm sure your son will as well.  My older son who is now 8 does better with scary than sad, emotional movies.  The movie Up sent him hysterically crying to his room.  He couldn't stand the woman dying and the sad husband.  Not scary, but emotionally sad.  Kids are funny with the way the internalize everything.  Best luck to you and your son!

[Ang0880]

Its really nice to know that there is someone else out there that can relate. That is what I really needed and once again am grateful for your reassurance! I've talked to my friends with kids and my huge family with kids and nobody has ever heard of such a thing! So I was getting kind of worried. Thanks again!

[specialmom]

Yes, there are a few of us out here.  LOL.  Let me know if you want any ideas or suggestions and as i mentioned, they've started a sensory forum that I am on a lot.  We've had much luck overcoming many things with my boy and I hope the same for your son.  good luck and I'm here anytime you need support, vent or to share ideas with