Children are quite prone to nightmares. A child after the age of three has a very active imagination, which in turn brings in the emotion of fear. A child at that age is not able to separate imagination and reality and when they watch movies or TV programs that are scary they start developing a fear of the dark. They think that as shown on TV scary monsters and beasts will come from the dark. So when they are alone in their beds at night in the dark they imagine that monsters will come at them. Clinical psychologists have established that the fear of monster for children between the ages of 3 and 6 is very real.   

A child’s fear of the dark and consequent nightmares can sometimes lead to sleepless nights for the parents. When your child insists that he will sleep in your bedroom because he has seen monsters in the dark, you may just agree because you are too sleepy or tired to argue. If this becomes a habit the chances that he will overcome his fears are just about zero.

Help your child to develop healthy sleeping habits and become a child full of laughter. 

1.       You need to be very supportive and show a caring attitude for your child to help him get over his fear. You will be cranky and irritated when you are woken up in the middle of the night by your child’s nightmares. But just remember that as far as the child is concerned those fears are real and he is hoping for your understanding in this. He will definitely be turned off if you yell at him instead.

2.       See that the child is not exposed to the TV for at least two hours before his bedtime. Instead see that he is surrounded by positive messages and gestures of affection from the entire family. Even, so called children’s programs on TV contain spooks and monsters and seeing it before going to bed can spark these fears. 

3.       The routine before bed time should be calming and happy. Get him to take a bath with his rubber toys, tell him a bed time story that will make him happy, or sing him a lullaby.

4.       A nightlight in the child’s room can be a big help.

5.       Leave the doors of your child’s and yours open so that he can hear your voices before he drifts off to sleep and senses that you are near him.

6.       Play some soft music or have some happy story tapes to play to him. Make him concentrate on the story and not imagine things.

7.       Occasionally allow your child to sleep in your bed with you if it does not disturb your sleep too much. If you find it does try an alternative method.

8.       Let the child talk to you about his fears and the supposed monsters that he sees. Do not encourage him to think that you have believed him and that you will chase away the imaginary monster. This could make them think that you also believe in monsters.

9.       Train your child to think of funny or positive things when this nightmare starts.

10.  When the child cries out assure him in a loud voice that he is safe.

11.    Once in a way you can sit by the child till he falls asleep, but do not make it a habit. It will be difficult to break.

12.    As an alternative to sitting by the bedside, make frequent and repeated checks on the child till he falls asleep. On subsequent nights increase the time between the checks.

Always be alert that your child’s fears do not become a phobia or anxiety. Be sure that no stressful event or occurrence in your immediate family or neighborhood is playing on his mind. Consult your child’s pediatrician if you need their advice. If these methods have worked well for you, or if you have found some other alternative and it has worked, share it with your friends and social circle and spread the good word around.