Tips for treating your child’s fear of the dark
The child’s fear of the dark has reasons that are part of a wide-ranging discussion from a psychological point of view, and solutions to this fear are suggested, which he will read briefly in this article.
One of the most common fears among children is the fear of the dark. Usually this fear starts between the ages of 2-3 years old and decreases a little while continuing in the following years.
But it lasts until about 10-12 years old. One of the things that leads to a child’s fear of the dark is when the child’s parents or relatives ask him as punishment as a punishment to stay in a dark room such as a barn, basement, etc., which causes him fear and panic. Stay alone. Another point is that the space of the house where the child lives or the familiar room of the child, has different effects in dark and light situations.
A child who is in the stage of developing imaginary imaginations can easily make a monster out of anything in the dark and be afraid of that imaginary monster.
Sometimes the fear of the dark is simply the fact that the child can not do in the dark. Sometimes a child is in the habit of being afraid that he will not be able to see his mother, father or caregiver. If this person gives his hand to the child, the child’s fear will disappear.
In some cases, the child’s fear of the dark stems from his mental imagery of thieves and imaginary creatures he hears from those around him or sometimes dreams. According to a 6-year-old child, darkness is a manifestation of monsters, giants, thieves, etc. that can harm him. For example, when a child goes to bed, he remembers a scary situation he had dreamed about the night before, and then he falls asleep and starts daydreaming again.
In some cases, even the thought of being alone in a dark room scares the child. Children who are severely frightened, anxious , and anxious about escaping the darkness and loneliness need, above all, a sense of security and comfort that parents and family members can give them.
Treatments for a child’s fear of the dark
Ways to treat children’s fears
1- The main cause of the child’s fear should be known: For example, parents can be sensitive to their child’s daily behaviors and events and examine his environmental changes, including home, school and friends, they can even have interests and Recognize his new motivations. Sometimes when a child is very scared and is not able to express his fears verbally, we can ask him to draw his fear by drawing.
Then pay attention to what the child draws and with what colors he paints it. Anxiety and fear are usually depicted in dark, dull and dark colors, and sometimes the child tries to eliminate and eliminate the cause of his fear by drawing a line on the face he has drawn. After painting, we can talk to the child about his work and ask him the reason for his fear with simple questions that we ask. Of course, do not force the child to draw on a subject that has frightened him. Let him feel safe and calm first and draw his imaginary image if he wishes.
2- The child’s sleep time can be accompanied by pleasant and relaxing associations. For example, brushing your teeth, saying goodnight, wearing pajamas, hearing a simple story, or a childhood memory can reduce a child’s anxiety.
3- By keeping a dim light or bedside lamp on, the child’s room can be removed from pure darkness. Be careful to place the bedside lamp where the light does not cast shadows on the furniture on the wall, because children visualize shadows as ghosts and imaginary creatures, and in some cases use a flashlight A small one that the child can put under his pillow gives him peace of mind.
4- After turning off the room light, stay with the child for a few minutes and talk to him about the day he is having.
5. If the child is accustomed to waking up in the middle of the night, never invite him to the room because it is difficult to break such a habit.
6- When a frightened child wakes up, we should not try to humiliate the child by criticizing or blaming him, but we should patiently show curiosity about the child’s fear and its origin and ask him if he wants to talk about his fear or The creatures he has dreamed of speak because in this way the child’s fear and panic is reduced and he can deal with it more easily.
7- Sometimes playing some games and entertainment in the dark can reduce the child’s fear of the dark. For example, parents can play with the shadow of their fingers on the wall in front of a candlelight, or they can change their position in the dark and ask the child to find them. The goal of these games is for the child to become accustomed to the darkness and realize that objects in the dark make no difference or when the air is clear.
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