HOW TO REDUCE FEAR OF DARKNESS IN CHILDREN

THREE SOURCES OF NIGHT FEARS IN CHILDREN

• SENSE OF SECURITY: Children actually fear death, separation, and abuse. They will have the following thoughts: “Someone will kidnap me!”; “I will die!”; “There is a stranger in the room!”; or “Are the parents still at home?”
• IMAGINARY CREATURES: Children actually fear imaginary creatures and believe that monsters, ghosts, space creatures, or dangerous animals are hiding in their room.
• INHERENT CHARACTERISTICS OF DARKNESS: Children actually fear shadows or unknown sounds that are typical of darkness.

PLAY-FOCUSED TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE NEGATIVE FEELINGS ABOUT THE NIGHT

INTRODUCING THE CHILD TO THE WONDERS OF THE NIGHT:

• counting stars/naming stars
• identifying animal by their sounds
• introducing the child to nocturnal animals
• expanding the child’s perspective with astronomy
• making a wish on a shooting star

INTRODUCING NIGHT GAMES

• camping
• making hand shadows
• test of courage: for example asking the child to go pick up a toy in a dark room. Don’t forget to reward the child every step of the way!
• hiking in a dark forest
• chasing the moon

INTRODUCING A NIGHT ROUTINE

• leaving dim light sources in the room: for example, light on in the hallway, small night lights, phosphorescent toy figures, etc…
• making sure there is total silence in the room, no white noise
• always give the child a cuddle before going to bed
• make fun of creatures that the child might be afraid of by attributing funny characteristics to them. For example a smelly monster, or a naked ghost.
• practicing relaxation exercises before bedtime.
• sharing a secret mantra imbued with magical power