Overcoming the Dark for Kids
Updated: January 25, 2007
Almost every child will do it, become afraid of the dark.
Q: Is it normal for young children to be afraid of the dark?
A: Yes. Most toddlers will go through a phase when they are afraid of the dark, and it`s a sign of normal development. When children are infants they don`t know that things exist even if they can`t see them. But around the age of two or three, children begin to understand that the dark covers up things that are still there, even though they can`t see them, and their developing imagination can turn the shadows of every day objects into scary monsters.
Q: What can parents do to help their child overcome these nighttime fears?
A:
1. Let the child talk about his fears: sometimes we avoid talking about fears with our child because we think it will make the fears worse. However, allowing children to explore their fears is often an important step in understanding and overcoming them.
2.
