How to Deal With Fear of Night With Preschoolers
Fear of nighttime or darkness is one of the most common fears among young, preschool-aged children. Many frightening experiences can trigger this fear, such as watching a movie with depictions of monsters or hearing a ghost story, a traumatic external situation such as divorce or death in the family, or simply an overactive imagination. While fear of nighttime can often be a strong and persistent fear, you can help your child learn to relax and feel more at ease in the dark.
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Instructions
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Talk about your child's fear with him. Ask him what he thinks he sees at night, and why he is afraid. Calmly reassure him that his fear is normal and not silly. You can even encourage him to draw and color pictures of any monsters he might think are in his bedroom, which can make these imaginary creatures less mysterious and frightening for him.
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Check on your child consistently throughout the night. Ask your child how often she wants you to check on her, which can give her a feeling of power and control over the situation. Place boundaries by setting limits, however. Tell her that once it is bedtime, she cannot yell and cry for your attention, and that checking on her does not mean staying in her room.
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Turn off age-inappropriate television. Avoid watching any movies or television shows that might be disturbing or frightening for a young child. Intense, violent scenes or any image depicting strange creatures can cause your child to have nightmares and develop nighttime fears. Avoid reading any stories that might frighten him as well. For bedtime stories, choose happy, colorful children's books that emphasize strength and positivity.
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Give your child a nightlight and a security blanket or stuffed animal to make her feel safer at night. A nightlight can illuminate any objects in her room that might cast scary shadows, and blankets or stuffed animals can ease her feelings of tension and anxiety when the lights go out.
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Tips & Warnings
Make the nighttime less intimidating for your child. Play games in the dark, such as treasure hunts for glow-in-the-dark objects, or role-playing games where he is allowed to pretend to be a scary monster himself. Occasionally, relax outside with your child at night to show him that nighttime can be peaceful and not scary. Laughter and relaxation can ease any feelings of fear towards the darkness.
Do not allow your child to sleep in your bedroom with you, as this can encourage dependence on your presence and cause your child to develop regressive habits.
If your child's fear of the dark persists or interferes with his daily life, he may need to see a child psychiatrist or counselor to deal with deeper underlying issues.
References
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