Why is my 7 year old afraid of the dark?

Why is my 7 year old afraid of the dark?

“And it tends to wax and wane as a child’s understanding of the world develops.” For example, while a preschooler might be afraid of the dark because he thinks there’s a goblin under his bed, a 7-year-old-who understands that goblins don’t exist-may be frightened that a burglar will break into the house during the …

Why is my child so afraid of the dark?

The dark leaves us feeling vulnerable and exposed to whatever is around us that we can’t see. When kids go to bed, they have fewer distractions to preoccupy their minds, so instead their imagination runs wild. As a result, a shadow in a dark corner can quickly turn into a 5-headed monster coming to get them.

How do I get rid of my child’s fear of the dark?

Practical ways to deal with your child’s fear of the dark include: Establish a bedtime routine that your child finds relaxing and enjoyable. Predictable bedtime routines help to reduce anxiety. Put a nightlight in your child’s room, or let some light from the hallway or other nearby source filter into their room.

How can I help my child with fear at night?

Strategies for Overcoming Nighttime Fears

1. What is your child afraid of?
2. Do not support belief in your child’s imaginative creatures.
3. Reassure your child’s safety.
4. Work on building up your child’s self-confidence and coping skills.
5. Keep the bedtime routine ‘light,’ happy, and fun.
6. Allow nightlights and security objects.

Is it normal for an 8 year old to be afraid of the dark?

Fear of the dark is a common and typical fear for most children. Fear of the dark usually starts to crop up in toddlerhood. When children’s cognitive abilities expand – so does their imagination! For some kids, this fear never goes away.

How do I get my 6 year old to stop being afraid of the dark?

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1. Don’t play into the fear of the dark. “Don’t say to your child, ‘Let me make sure there aren’t any monsters under the bed,’” Dobbins says.
2. Do make bedtime soothing. Television is a no-go at nighttime, and so are scary books, both experts say.
3. Don’t ignore a larger problem.
4. Do get help.

Is it normal for an 11 year old to be scared of the dark?

It is quite common and natural for a child to be afraid of the dark. Fears that keep a 12-year-old from going upstairs sound more severe than normal. The fact that her fear is impacting her ability to perform normal activities (by keeping her on the main floor after dark) is worrisome.

Is it normal for a 13 year old to be afraid of the dark?

Why is my 6 year old suddenly afraid of the dark?

At what age should a child stop being afraid of the dark?

Most kids will actually outgrow fear of the dark by ages 4 to 5, helped along with some specific strategies. But about 20% of kids will have a persistent fear of the dark. “It’s not always so easy to unlearn those startled, anxious, fearful responses,” said Mabe.

How do I get my 7 year old to stop being scared at night?

At bedtime, stick to a peaceful routine – a shower or bath, a gentle story or a few poems (or 15 minutes of independent reading), and maybe a song and a couple of minutes of silent vigil with you sitting by the bed. (Ask your local librarian for a list of books about kids dealing with bedtime fears.

Why are kids afraid of dark?

A child can be afraid of the dark for many reasons, but generally it has to do with the natural emotion of fear. “Children fear the dark because humans fear the unknown or what we cannot see,” says Dr. Rhoda Gottfried, an Advocate Children’s Medical Group child and adolescent psychiatrist at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, Ill.

Why is my child scared of everything?

A common fear for a toddler is that they will be overwhelmed by powerful emotions. Toddlers have a limited understanding of size and may develop seemingly irrational fears, such as falling down the plughole or toilet. Encourage your child to talk about their fears and anxieties.

What are some things children are afraid of?

Toddlers and preschoolers are often frightened of very specific things: bugs, dogs, the dark, clowns, or even the vacuum cleaner. Sometimes their fears are broader – many are afraid of new situations or meeting new people.

Why are children afraid of death?

If the child thinks about someone dying, in his mind that alone could lead to the death of that person. So sometimes kids develop rituals and superstitions designed to protect themselves from those wishes becoming a reality. In most children, the fear of death will not become pathological.