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Easing A Child's Fear Of The Dark

By Autumn Lockwood

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 27Aug2011
Word count: 2411
Viewed: 108 time(s)

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At one point , most children go through a phase where they are afraid of the dark. In some cases, watching a scary movie, reading a scary book, or hearing a scary story could cause this behavior. Sometimes you might even find that a story on the evening news could be enough to frighten your child. You might not even know what caused the sudden fear, and perhaps even your child may not know for sure. Nonetheless, when a child is afraid of the dark, it can cause a great deal of discomfort, both for the child as well as other family members. If your child is afraid of the dark here are a few tips you can use to help them conquer their fears.

Assessing the Fear

If your child has suddenly developed a fear of the dark, it can help to discuss it with them. Although they might not really understand their fear, it can be comforting for them to know that you care enough about it to ask. Never belittle or tease your child because of their fear. Instead, try to discuss the issue in a calm and collected manner, placing the emphasis on understanding and compassion. In some cases, you might even be able to solve the problem completely, just by making a few simple alterations to their room.

Fear of Monsters

Although adults know that monsters are only imaginary creatures, they can actually be very real in a child's mind. Providing your child with a bottle of "monster repellent" can often give them a sense of control. Simply fill a spray bottle with water, and add a bit of scent, such as a bit of peppermint, vanilla or even air freshener. You can then spray the room with the repellent before bedtime, giving the child the bottle in case they need to use more during the night. Defusing your child's monster fear through reading stories about friendly monster characters can also be helpful. Let your child create drawings or color pictures of the friendly monsters. It might even help to display friendly monster artwork in a picture frame on the wall, as a deterrent to other less friendly monsters. Giving your child a small flashlight can also help.

Adding a Cheerful Touch

Redecorating your child's room can sometimes be a good way to defuse a child's fear of the dark. Get your child involved in the process, letting them choose colorful accessories, curtains, and artwork that they really seem to like. Display some particularly cheerful artwork in red picture frames, to help create a positive aura in the room. You might find that there were certain room accessories that created disturbing shadows in the room after dark. If so, you might find that these problems disappear, simply by moving furniture around in the room.

Closet and Door Fears

Closets and doors are often a source of fear for children. While some children become fearful when doors are open, others do not like it when they are shut. Listen to your child in order to find out their preferences. You could also try making doors less threatening by displaying artwork on them.

Now that you know some tips for easing your child's fears, just remember that it just may be a phase. Follow the tips and help your child conquer their fears.

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