How To Handle Childhood Fears And Nightmares

Written by Smriti Dey

Published: December 21, 2024

Table of Contents

Introduction

Childhood Fears And Nightmares

How To Handle Childhood Fears And Nightmares?

Trick One: Sing A Song
Trick Two: Reality Check
Trick Three: Ask An Adult
Trick Four: Self- Affirmations
Trick Five: Distractions

Conclusion

Introduction

Childhood fears and nightmares are common in children and present in multiple aspects. Parents worried about helping their children escape these childhood fears and nightmares should ensure they follow proper guidelines. Sometimes, negative reinforcement or scolding the children for not feeling something makes them fear it more.

Parents need to understand that childhood fear and nightmares are not just tantrums or overreacting by the child to get something, but sometimes it can be the real fear engraved in their mind due to certain incidents. To know more about various aspects of childhood fears and nightmares, keep reading.

Childhood Fears And Nightmares

Childhood fears and nightmares can be of two types: something a child is naturally afraid of because of its negative appearance or scary elements, or the child is being instigated to fear something. Childhood fears commonly include ghosts, clowns, dangerous animals, heights, depths, darkness, alone time, and more.

These childhood fears, when the child sleeps nervously, can still be active in the subconscious mind, causing them to have nightmares in the dreams. Most of the children overcome these fears as they age, but certain children without any proper guidance or care grow up to fear these things even in adulthood.

Leaving these fears and nightmares from childhood unattended by the parents can cause various adversities in a child living independently in the future.

How To Handle Childhood Fears And Nightmares?

Here are few ways to handle childhood fears and nightmares in the children:

Trick One: Sing A Song

Songs can be a great distraction when the child indirectly fears something will happen. Children enjoying the song in the dark can be a good distraction, which can help the children take their minds off from what they fear.

This habit will not only cure the disturbance in the mental health because of the fear but also encourage kids to face the challenge and the fears head on through singing and easily navigating through it.

Singing a song, they like to empower them or a poem that helps the child get through the dark or the fear of something can be very good equipment. Also, the melody in the song helps the child sleep better even after nightmares.

Trick Two: Reality Check

This is a very good approach for children who have a fear of something, such as ghosts or the supernatural. Children fearful of superficial elements or even dark can count three things that are near them and are real. This will help the child associate what is real and what is just a fear created in their mind, which will help them easily navigate through a situation. Checking out three real things and dismissing fears as mind-made can help children quickly escape panic.

Trick Three: Ask An Adult

If the child is very fearful about nightmares or something they do not like, it is always a great idea to be there for their assurance. Sometimes, there are incidents that deeply instigate the child's fear of something.

Parents or someone close should stick with the kid when experiencing such a situation. This can help the child be assured and brave enough to face their fears on their own. It is not bad to guide a child through the dark when thirsty in the middle of the night. The practice of assistance slowly and steadily will wear off with proper encouragement, making the child braver with the next encounter.

Trick Four: Self- Affirmations

Self-affirmations work the same way as songs and poems sung in the dark by the children. But self-affirmations do not create a distraction. It provides instant motivation to children to face their fears without any nervousness. Self-talk through self-affirmation can induce positivity and bravery in children to assist them with childhood fear, keeping their minds calm.

Trick Five: Distractions

There are various types of distractions that can be made as a healthy coping mechanism for children to navigate that childhood fear and nightmares. A quick comic book session after a dreadful dream can help the children sleep better, easily calming their minds.

Conclusion

Now that children and parents have learned about the importance of managing childhood fear and nightmares concerning good sleeping patterns and habits. Parents should make sure that they work together with their children to eradicate all these fears so that children live bravely. Children with minimum childhood fears and nightmares can live a strong and confident life without any troubles independently.