How to Help Kids With Fears of Darkness
Fear of the dark is a common childhood phobia, and it may range from a mild apprehension to nightmares and an unwillingness to sleep through the night. Children lack the cognitive abilities of adults to see that there is nothing to fear in the dark. Comfort your child regarding her fear of the dark and teach her that the dark is harmless.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Ask your child why he is afraid of the dark. The answers may range from a fear of the unknown to being unable to identify the sounds that he is hearing. Some of these issues can be quelled through explaining what is going and what is happening after the lights are out.
-
2
Calm your child before bed. Fear of the dark can result from overstimulation, so turn off the television an hour before bed and start a wind-down ritual that involves bathing, dressing for bed and doing a quiet activity like reading a story or listening to a song.
-
-
3
Explain that fear is a rational response to the unknown but that it should be overcome. This helps your child understand that fear is not something to be ashamed of, but instead something to deal with.
-
4
Give your child a flashlight. A flashlight can be left off, but if the child sees a shape that makes her nervous, she can instantly turn it on and see that it is simply a chair or a mound of toys.
-
5
Install a dimmer switch in the child's room. For a few nights, allow the child to go to sleep with the light on, and then slowly dim it over time. This helps acclimate the child to the darkness.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Monitor your child's media consumption. Scary books and television shows can cause fears that express themselves at night.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
