How to Help a Child Overcome Fear of the Dark

When a child is afraid of the dark, it can mean many sleepless nights not only for her, but also for you as well. Follow these steps to reassure and comfort your child so she can overcome her fears and sleep soundly.

Instructions

    • 1

      Assure your child that her fear of the dark is normal, and that many children have the same concerns. This will help her overcome her fear, once she understands that others share her anxieties.

    • 2

      Ask your child to talk to you about their specific fears and those things that make her afraid of the dark.

    • 3

      Comfort your child, and make sure she understands that she is safe, and that monsters aren't real, and therefore cannot hurt her.

    • 4

      Show your child the locks on the doors and windows, your home's alarm system, and any outdoor security lights, if she is afraid of the dark because she believes someone may try to break in and harm her.

    • 5

      Offer your child ideas to make her feel less afraid of the dark. Bring her a comforting toy or stuffed animal, or offer to stay with her for a few minutes while she falls back to sleep.

    • 6

      Discover if your child's fear of the dark stems from other concerns. She may fear that a loved one may die prematurely, or that her parents might divorce, and these fears may intensify when she's alone in the dark before going to sleep.

    • 7

      Purchase a nightlight and plug it into an outlet in your child's bedroom. You might also consider buying her a small lamp and placing it next to her bed, so she can turn it on when she becomes afraid.

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