How to Handle a Child Afraid of the Dark
While every child experiences fear of something at some point in his childhood, the level of fear varies depending on the child. Some children are so afraid of the dark, for instance, that they cannot fall asleep. This can be frustrating for parents when the child refuses to go to bed because of the darkness in his room. However, as a parent, you can help your child to overcome his fear and go to bed without a fight.
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Instructions
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Plug a night-light into your child's room to provide some light in the darkness. Sometimes having just a little light in a dark room can help a child feel safe, especially if she is afraid of the unknown. A night-light provides enough light to see what is around her.
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Help your child choose a stuffed animal or special blanket with which to sleep. Sometimes all a child needs is a security item to help him feel safer in the dark. Something he can tangibly feel in the dark provides him with a sense of familiarity when he cannot see.
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Talk with your child about why she is afraid of the dark. There may be an underlying cause to the fear of the dark, such as a fear of monsters, spiders or other critters. If you can identify another cause, you can help your child overcome that fear, which will eliminate the fear of the dark. For instance, if your child is afraid of monsters, check under the bed and in closets for monsters before turning out the light. Give your child a spray bottle with a little water in it labeled "monster spray" so your child can spray any monsters before she falls asleep.
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Play a game in the dark with your child before bedtime. Show him that the dark is nothing to be feared. Use a flashlight to look for things in the dark or play a game of hide-and-seek in a safe room.
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Give your child a flashlight so she can turn it on to see something if she becomes scared. Sometimes having the option of light nearby provides a sense of security.
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Show your child compassion and patience as he goes through this fear. Most children overcome their fear of the dark eventually. Don't let your child see you become frustrated. When he comes out of his room, calmly walk him back, tuck him in and talk about what is bothering him. Let him know that it is OK to be afraid of something.
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Design a reward system for your child. Earning rewards helps your child take the focus off being afraid and refocuses the energy on earning something she wants. For instance, your child can earn a star sticker for each night she goes to bed without complaint. After earning a specific number of stars, such as seven or 20, offer a reward. The more stars she can earn, the bigger the reward.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid allowing your child to sleep with you or a sibling. This does not help overcome the fear. Instead, it becomes a crutch for your child or a new habit.
Don't allow your child to watch scary television shows or movies too close to bedtime. These shows only feed the fear.
References
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