The study examined the relationship between dysregulated fear behavior in toddlers and risk of developing anxiety symptoms later in development. 111 toddlers between 24-30 months were observed in contexts designed to elicit different levels of fear/withdrawal. Toddlers who showed high fear in low-threat contexts ("dysregulated fear") had higher parent-reported anxiety concurrently and at ages 3, 4, and 5. Dysregulated toddlers also showed less social engagement with peers in kindergarten. Growth curve analyses found dysregulated toddlers did not show the typical increase in surgency from ages 3-6. Maternal approach personality moderated trajectories, with less decrease in negative affect for children of less approachable mothers.