Many children are afraid of the dark, it is something that happens very frequently and that must be treated in a respectful way with the little one. Many times, the adults themselves are the ones who provoke such fears in children, since expressions are used that lead to children's imaginations inventing truly terrifying situations for them.
Why does the fear of the dark appear?
For parents, this sudden fear of the dark can be disconcerting. Children generally develop that fear between 3 and 8 years. That is, babies and young children get used to sleeping alone and in the dark without developing that fear. Although the reasons are unknown, at some point in growth, imagination and lived experiences can cause children to fear the dark.
This fear can be caused by many reasons, a change of home, some experience lived at school or in a little-known place, and even a simple change of furniture or room, can cause fear in the child. Usually, fear of the dark appears at bedtime, when the child has to stay alone in his bed and in his room.
In many cases, it can be just one way to extend the day, since when you go to sleep the games and fun are over. Although in other cases, it may be something deeper that must be remedied to avoid complications in the child.
What to do if your child is afraid of the dark
Before acting, it is very important to assess whether it is a wake-up call, or if the child is really afraid of the dark and the idea of spending the night only becomes terrifying. In the first case, you can detect it by signals such as:
- The child tries to delay bedtime with games: In this case, it really does not show fear or feel fear, it is rather an attempt to extend the day and the games. What you can do in the face of this situation, is to stand firm. Talk to your child and remind him that the night is for sleeping and that the games are over. Try not to give in to blackmail, always trying to be understanding with your little one.
- Cries, has anxiety, even vomits: Your child is afraid of the dark and in this case it is very important not to underestimate the situation. The child may suffer a major episode of anxiety, which if not treated correctly can cause significant sleep disturbances. Try to calm the little one in the same room, explaining that he is in his bed, protected and with you close by in case you need anything. You can also leave a small light so that the little one feels more secure, but instead of placing it in their room, leave the light outside the room, in the hallway or in the bathroom, for example. It is about that little by little that light is placed further away, until it is not necessary to leave it on at night.
When go to the doctor?
In some cases, the fear of the dark can become a serious problem of insecurity, causing sleep problems and lead to emotional disturbances. So it is very important to assess the situation and go to the doctor if you think you are not able to solve this problem with home methods. For example:
- Games in the dark: Get the child used to spending time in the dark, playing with the whole family or with their friends
- Sing songs or tell stories: Create an environment similar to camping, in the child's own room and with as little light as possible. Sing songs or tell some childish story to help the child sleep, yes, avoid being horror stories since they would cause the opposite effect.
In case the situation worsens, do not hesitate to go to a specialist's consultation.