December 5, 2023 by hreister
You are awakened by your young child who says they are afraid of the dark. Despite all efforts to convince them there are no monsters in their closet, you finally cave and let them sleep with you. If this scenario sounds familiar, you are not alone. According to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, 45-80% of children under the age of 12 have a fear of darkness particularly around ages 7-9.
Dr. Gene Beresin, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the executive director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, states “although a child’s imagination is useful during play and learning, they are not fully able to distinguish the difference between reality and fantasy which can lead to scary thoughts or sounds presenting as real threats”.
Often a child’s fear can be traced to other issues including separation, a scary movie, anxiety, or something completely unrelated to the dark, so it is important to understand exactly what is keeping your little one up. Once you identify the root of the fear, you can address it. Remember, the fear is real to them, so it is important to acknowledge it while helping them work through what is real versus what is in their imagination.
One mistake parents make in the quest to conquer their child’s fear is unintentionally reinforcing it. Telling your child that you drove a monster away with “monster spray” or a “magic wand” will only have your child believing that their fears are real. Instead, pediatrician Dr. Laura O’Connor suggests telling them you understand they are afraid, but that the monster is not real and cannot harm them.
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is also key to assisting your child in gaining control of their fears. Helping your child to relax before bedtime with breathing exercises, soft music, a familiar toy, or blanket can promote sleep. Providing a night light or utilizing white noise can create a calm environment. Limit overstimulating activities such as too much technology prior to bedtime.
Finally, acknowledge small wins. For example, even if your child does not make it through the entire night in their own bed, tell them you are proud of them for making it an extra hour than the night before. If your child is experiencing panic attacks or is seriously distressed, they may need professional medical or behavioral support. If your child’s fear is related to a traumatic experience or it is impacting their behavior, talk to their pediatrician to determine what kind of intervention will be most helpful.
Author: Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County.
Reviewer: Jenny Lobb, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Franklin County
Sources:
Austin, D. (2023). More Americans than ever are afraid of the dark, experts say. Here’s why. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/03/01/are-you-afraid-dark-why-pandemic/6782349001/
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Is Your Child Afraid of the Dark? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tips-to-overcome-nighttime-fears
Whitehead, M. (2023). 6 Tips to Help Kids Who Are Afraid of the Dark. Cincinnati Children’s. https://blog.cincinnatichildrens.org/healthy-living/child-development-and-behavior/help-kids-who-are-afraid-of-the-dark/
December 12, 2023
What’s That Noise? Kid’s Fear of the Dark Can Make Bedtime a Challenge | Live Healthy Live Well
maximios Blog
December 5, 2023 by hreister
You are awakened by your young child who says they are afraid of the dark. Despite all efforts to convince them there are no monsters in their closet, you finally cave and let them sleep with you. If this scenario sounds familiar, you are not alone. According to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, 45-80% of children under the age of 12 have a fear of darkness particularly around ages 7-9.
Dr. Gene Beresin, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the executive director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, states “although a child’s imagination is useful during play and learning, they are not fully able to distinguish the difference between reality and fantasy which can lead to scary thoughts or sounds presenting as real threats”.
Often a child’s fear can be traced to other issues including separation, a scary movie, anxiety, or something completely unrelated to the dark, so it is important to understand exactly what is keeping your little one up. Once you identify the root of the fear, you can address it. Remember, the fear is real to them, so it is important to acknowledge it while helping them work through what is real versus what is in their imagination.
One mistake parents make in the quest to conquer their child’s fear is unintentionally reinforcing it. Telling your child that you drove a monster away with “monster spray” or a “magic wand” will only have your child believing that their fears are real. Instead, pediatrician Dr. Laura O’Connor suggests telling them you understand they are afraid, but that the monster is not real and cannot harm them.
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is also key to assisting your child in gaining control of their fears. Helping your child to relax before bedtime with breathing exercises, soft music, a familiar toy, or blanket can promote sleep. Providing a night light or utilizing white noise can create a calm environment. Limit overstimulating activities such as too much technology prior to bedtime.
Finally, acknowledge small wins. For example, even if your child does not make it through the entire night in their own bed, tell them you are proud of them for making it an extra hour than the night before. If your child is experiencing panic attacks or is seriously distressed, they may need professional medical or behavioral support. If your child’s fear is related to a traumatic experience or it is impacting their behavior, talk to their pediatrician to determine what kind of intervention will be most helpful.
Author: Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County.
Reviewer: Jenny Lobb, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Franklin County
Sources:
Austin, D. (2023). More Americans than ever are afraid of the dark, experts say. Here’s why. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/03/01/are-you-afraid-dark-why-pandemic/6782349001/
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Is Your Child Afraid of the Dark? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tips-to-overcome-nighttime-fears
Whitehead, M. (2023). 6 Tips to Help Kids Who Are Afraid of the Dark. Cincinnati Children’s. https://blog.cincinnatichildrens.org/healthy-living/child-development-and-behavior/help-kids-who-are-afraid-of-the-dark/