Wow simplyMary thanks for the heads up re: your daughter.
It opens many memories and is worthy of response within a bit more than that one liner response.

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I have my own opinions on such matters as this.
I think it hinges on how it was when I was a very small kid that began to get bombarded by things after one of those return episodes stemming from what folks call and NDE ( accidental poisoning).

Thank God for parents that were more in tune with understanding things beyond the normal 5 physical senses.. and, especially to my Father and Grandmother that were rooted in a belief system that tends to watch close for signs of things that most may very well pass off or get freaky over.

I have posted some lengthy response to the subject of paranormal / gifted kids, and the parent method of how to deal with such stuff .. it is in the forums under paranormal kids (you may want to look there).

The shadow thing can be traumatic for a child.
It often hinges on response patters that stem from parental reactions, and often reactions of others.  
I slept with the sheets over my head for several years because of it.   Eventually,  I came to confront it (by age 5-6) and discovered some amazing transformations in that result of eventual confrontation.
In ways that a young child may not be considered to comprehend.. yet they understand more because this stuff can be quite spiritual and it can open channels of understanding which many may not realize.

For now I would highly suggest that you treat this without any visual or audible harsh reaction in view of your child.  

These development years at her young age, tend to be the years that really pick up on the fear syndromes based on parental reactions.   You are that foundation of certain acceptances that come into the home front via the child.  You are also the venting vehicle for this change that occurs in the gifted arena dealing with the kids.   Cool calm and collected is not enough.
You need to be on top of your own game with the comprehensions for what takes place, how things roll out and how well they become managed in the sanctuary of your own home.  Get those grounding and protecting principals working and begin to teach in small subtle ways (with the little now I lay me down to sleep type things as a starter).  Invite art work to express her inner thoughts, and more.  Field trips with touchy feely things, is something that comes sooner or later with visualizations techniques as in psychometry.   But you have to understand these well so that you are jointly engaged in the proper growth of a gifted child.

If this is her pathway, it is going to take place with or without the parent working in alignment.   Exactly how adjusted she becomes at such an early age is largely dependent upon the adults in her world and how they react and respond.  

Note:
I am going to tell you something about certain ones that are chosen (not all, but certain ones)... not to frighten you or to alarm you .. but rather , let us call it educating certain realities that come into focus for some.

There are certain ones that may stifle coming into the gifts when it hits the early years.  When I say stifle, I mean they shun it hinged upon certain portions of their will or even that of the will to shun imposed by others.  One of the pit falls of this tends to be Health issues repeated over and over, until they reach a point where it seems easier to ask for divine guidance (in that child like way) to avoid the pains of ill health or worse.   Some may say that this is the map or the soulful pathway that comes into a new incarnation that tends to know its purpose before the conscious mind is able to accommodate the intended needs for what the spiritual has predestined and chosen.  This is old pagan stuff that may be confusing to many but highly spiritual in nature of personal balance, and a person’s destiny and specified pathway.

This may not be the case with your daughter(s), as far as we may hope and pray it is not something that would impose health issues (it does for some as I mentioned).   The way of passing through that doorway of the hidden arts and gifts, differs for many.  
Honestly, the shadow figure thing may be a horrible thing to think upon.. but, in my case it was my guide all along, and I can assure you he is no negative dark entity by any means.  It was simply how I had pixilated it as a child that led to the fear syndrome…  my parents were different about it, and my Father and Grandmother appeared fearless for what they knew.  

It is an excellent time to do your homework, and keep an open even balanced mind for the expanded growth of your kids.  

This means being informed and knowledgeable of all facets of what we call spiritual and paranormal.
It is possible that by immersing yourself into the well being of your kids through this knowledge, and your kids may wind up re-opening that pathway for you to expand what gifts you may have.  

Sometimes it is the Child that teaches the parent these ways and means of returning to a place of balance and harmony.   Such are the ways of old souls      Blessed be.

Thank you so very much for ALL of your insight.  Sure has given me a lot to think about.

She doesn't ever seem to be frightened over normal "spirits".  And talks to them like she would any living person.   I know my Dad is around most of the time and I know he helps to guide her.  I also know that my other daughter's guide has reveled herself and both the girls play with her quite often.  My mother in law comes now and again.  My maternal grandmother comes and goes.  I have heard messages from her but so far she is the only person that has come through loud and clear.  They were messages for my mom so it was kind of weird when I called and said "I have a message from Grandma" my mom still showed that she wasn't really ready to accept that I had a gift but the message was "loud and clear".  I had no idea what it meant but my mom sure did LOL.  Those are the ones I know for sure are here.  And I am sure there are "visitors" here and there too.

The animal thing was kind of cool because I know who her soul animal is so we are definitely watching for that soul to come along.  It's a dog and she has been in my life 2 times now BUT is connected to my daughters soul.  Since I know who my daughter's soul is it makes all the sense in the world.   We had the dog when I was a child and then she came back and we just lost her in 2010.  Even the short while she was with my daughter she showed all the signs of being her protector.  I also so realize that its not necessarily a female dog it just has been both times so far.