Fear of the dark is common among children. A few tips can help them overcome it.
- The fear of the dark can prevent the child from sleeping properly and enough.
- However, lack of sleep can lead to health or behavior problems.
What if a monster came while I slept? What if a witch came out of my closet? Children sometimes ask themselves these kinds of questions before sleeping. If they reflect their overflowing imagination, they can also reveal a real fear of the dark. This is not insurmountable, but it can be difficult for parents to manage. Of the Cleveland Clinic Specialistsin the United States, give six tips to help children get rid of them.
Understanding children’s fear of the dark, without reinforcing it
For pediatrician Laura O’Connor, it’s important to get to the roots of fear. “Ask open-ended questions to allow your child to tell you what triggers their fear”, she explains. The goal is to identify the fear and successfully name it. “When a child is afraid, it can be a relief to share it with someoneshe adds. Feeling heard can help them get rid of the weight of that fear.” For the parent, it is also a way of offering specific support to what they are afraid of.
Once the fear has been identified, care must be taken to use the right method to reassure the child. Sometimes, by wanting to do well, we consolidate the fears of the little ones. For example, promising to rid the bedroom of monsters or inspecting the closet for creatures helps to reinforce fear. “If you acknowledge that the being causing the fear exists, your child may be led to believe that there really is something to worry about.”, explains the specialist. She recommends saying phrases like: “I understand you’re scared of the dark and you think Frankenstein is going to come through your window, but Frankenstein doesn’t exist, he can’t hurt you..”
The bedroom, a place of refuge for the child
It is also better to join the child in his room to comfort him rather than let him join you. “When you stick around or let them into your room, it reinforces the idea that there is something to be afraid of.“, she specifies.
The fear of the dark is also fought during the day. For the pediatrician, self-confidence helps the child overcome his fears. Activities or games during the day can help build his self-confidence.
Tips for overcoming fear of the dark
Dr. O’Connor recommends establishing a bedtime routine. In the 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime, it is important not to stimulate the child’s fear with images, videos or music likely to frighten the child. Conversely, a bath, a story or puzzles can help him approach the night with serenity.
When the fear resists despite these different techniques, it is possible to help the child with an object that reassures him: a stuffed animal for example, or a light. “Some children who are afraid of the dark find a sense of security thanks to a night light or very dim lighting in their room”, says the specialist. Sometimes leaving the door slightly ajar is enough to reassure the little ones.
