The child is afraid of the dark

In preschool and junior school age many children have a fear of darkness. The child begins to put visits to the parent's bedroom every night, hoping, by all means, to stay asleep with mom and dad. A situation is also common where a toddler tries hard not to let his parents out of his bedroom who tried to put him to sleep.

Why are children afraid of the dark?

The dark room through the eyes of the child is already not the room in which the light has just burned. The outlines of objects are changing, habitual landmarks are disappearing. The room becomes mysterious and mysterious, and some objects even acquire ominous outlines. Naturally, this causes fear of darkness in children.

Darkness for the child is a symbol of insecurity from evil, which can not be resisted.

Children between the ages of three and seven can not distinguish fiction and reality. That's why the darkness for them is filled with something ominous. The child is terrible and darkness in itself, and those events that can happen because of it.

Darkness is also a symbol of loneliness for the child.

What can not be done categorically if the child is afraid of the dark? Do not logically try to explain to the kid that his fears are groundless. Do not play along with the child, as if you are also afraid. Contraindicated to scold or make fun of a child.

Here are some specific tips for parents whose child is afraid to sleep in the dark:

  1. Do not wait for the baby to develop fears. Leave in his room included night light, floor lamp.
  2. Do not turn off the light in the corridor. Sometimes children want to go to the bathroom at night, but they are afraid, because the corridor is dark.
  3. Children should be near the parents' room. A pre-school child, who is afraid of the dark, does not need to have a separate sleeping room. Still, such children in most cases come to their parents in the middle of the night, and persevering their escapes can only give rise to additional fears.
  4. If some objects frighten the child with their outlines in the dark, just remove them. Requests not to be afraid often do not work.
  5. In the daytime it is useful to beat those subjects that cause the child to fear at night.
  6. Arrange games in the shaded areas of the apartment (under the table, in the "house" of several armchairs covered with a blanket on top, in a room with curtained windows). Gradually accustom the child to the dark.
  7. On weekends and holidays, when the whole family is assembled in the evening at the table, light candles and turn off the lights. This will help your child get used to the semi-darkness, and looks solemn.