Is it normal?

[toddler mommy]

My girl turned one a month ago and she has started developing fears/phobias of things.  She now cries quite badly when we take lifts, and she is afraid of some of her toys (especially those with movements or music).  Today she was afraid of the word 'triangle'.  Is this normal?  I'm starting to get a bit worried.  I did read somewhere that toddlers develop strong feelings, but is this a bit excessive?

[Normality]

Sounds like it could be normal.  Maybe if you do a websearch of parenting sites you could find out for sure.  I know of kids who have phobias about large cuddly toys and especially people dressed up as clowns, snoopys and even Santa.  I haven't heard of kids being afraid of the sound of words though, so maybe trawling some sites about it will put your fears to rest.

[nikki m]

Toddler mommy fears at this age are pretty developmentally appropriate.  Thing of them, can't get around as well as they wish yet, can't verbalize as well as they wish yet but wanting to do so. Their only means to get their point across is to cry, yell or fuss.  
   Eric Erikson is my favorite child developmental psychologist and his stages of growth are just dead on.  Do a google search and read his theories and so much of what our kids do begins to make sense.  The first year of life is trust vs mistrust. This stage's developmental need is to have their needs met so when they cry they get their diaper changed, they get fed, they get the offending whatever it is removed, they get played with, they get snuggled etc.  Basically the first year of life is for them to feel secure that their needs will be met so that they trust their world is a safe, secure one where they know all is good.  
  The second year is industry vs intiative if I remember correctly and that means CONTROL.  Which explains a sudden fear of things as a little one is trying to control their enviroment.  This too shall pass, just be patient, steady,supportive and allow them to control what they can. If I remember correctly you had written that your little one is now 13 months? so that is the beginning stage of year 2.
 Anyway thats my peds RN input for what its worth.  Good luck!

[nikki m]

here is a link which explains his theory. http://psychology.about.com/library/weekly/aa091500a.htm