“Mummy, there’s a monster under my bed . . . Daddy, I can hear scary noises coming from outside . . . I don’t want to sleep in there, it’s too dark . . . I’m scared!”

Whether they’re scared of monsters, frightened of the dark, or worried about things that go bump in the night, almost all children go through a phase of nighttime fears. It’s entirely normal for a preschooler to imagine all sorts of monsters and creatures lurking in the dark corners of their bedroom, and in turn, they struggle to go to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night feeling too afraid to doze off again.

Though it’s certainly inconvenient to your sleep schedule, a fear of the dark actually tells you that your child is developing, growing and getting smarter. As babies, only the things that we see before us exist, but as we get older, we come to recognise that things happen even if we aren’t there to witness them. However, we want our kids to sleep through the night, sleep deeply, and wake up feeling well-rested and excited for the day ahead. And if they’re avoiding sleep out of fear or regularly waking up and calling you to come and check on them, neither one of you will get enough essential sleep.

When our kids are scared of going to bed or wake us up during the night, we often react by making a big deal of looking under the bed or checking in the closet, telling our kids that everything is okay, but by doing so, we aren’t acting as though everything is okay. Instead, we teach them that there is actually something to look for.

So, how can we go about helping them to overcome their nighttime fears in a calm, sensitive way that doesn’t increase their fear?

What can we do to alleviate nighttime fears?

Of the following 7 solutions, pick and choose as many or as few as you like, and try them in different combinations to find out what works best for you and your preschooler.

Happy monsters:

If your little one is fearful of monsters lurking under the bed or hiding in the closet, think about introducing them to happier, less frightening monsters. These days, plenty of children’s books, films, and TV shows feature monsters of the happy and funny variety, monsters kids will love! Giving your child access to these characters could give them a new version of imaginary monsters, ones that do not scare or upset them. Just be careful that the book or film you choose won’t scare them further or provide them with a specific character to fear.

Demystify the dark:

Darkness is so often associated with fear. When you think of the traditional horror film, the frightening stuff always happens in the dark. And for children in particular, who will rarely venture out into the dead of night (thankfully), darkness is a rather foreign concept. But if we can demystify darkness with a couple of fun, nighttime activities, it becomes much less scary. We recommend building a campfire on which to roast marshmallows, going for a stargazing walk, or setting up a tent in the living room at night.

Avoid scary films, TV, and books:

Do remember that kids, like sponges, absorb everything they come across. Even if you think they’re paying attention to the train set at their feet, they may be listening and watching the dark drama you have playing on the TV. Similarly, though a book character or picture may seem very innocent to you, a child might find them to be quite frightening come the dark of night.

Books:

Nighttime fears are a universal and common problem for kids, and as a result, there are plenty of books written to help children feel less scared when approaching bedtime. See what you can get your hands on and have a read-through during the daytime. We suggest that you read them first, just to make sure they will truly help your child and not make things worse.

The monster under the bed:

You may remember the intense fear you felt as a child, after turning off your bedroom lights, and running and leaping onto the mattress before the monster under your bed had a chance to grab at your bare feet. Plenty of kids worry that something lurks under their bed at night, no matter how much you or they look in the daytime. If this is true of your child, the absolute best solution is to fill in the gap beneath the bed. Anything will do, from a spare mattress to a stack of old boxes, by showing your child that there is no longer any space between the bed and floor, this fear should quickly subside. What’s more, this little spot makes for great storage space!

Aside from the previous seven strategies, have a think about which of the following 8 practical tactics might also help to put a stop to your preschooler's bedtime fears:

Some children will feel safer knowing that they have easy access to a light source, something they can shine in the direction of a spooky shadow or a dark window. If you and your child think this might prove useful, place a small torch beside their bed at night.

Many kids find it easier to fall asleep with a night light or a soft lamp turned on.

Relaxing music, white noise machines and even fans do a great job of covering the creaks and strange noises that some children find scary. Make sure that the volume is low and that it plays continuously throughout the night so that it’s playing whenever they wake.

Is your child scared of shadows? Sit with them in the dark and make a game of spotting spooky shadows and guessing what they are, then turning on the lights and finding out for certain. Or even try to think of something that isn’t scary at all that the shadows look like.

Ask your child whether closing or opening bedroom and closet doors will make them feel safer and calmer.

Try placing 1 or 2 stuffed animals onto your child’s bed. Most kids like to have something to cuddle with, and a favourite toy or security blanket is often as comforting as a parent’s presence.

Sometimes, older children develop fears of intruders entering the house or flat while they sleep. If this is the case with your child, take them through the home, showing them how doors and windows are shut, locked and bolted and that there is no way for anyone to enter without being let in.

Similarly, if your child is scared of certain noises, branches tapping at the window, leaves rustling in the wind, or the radiator turning on or off at night, do your best to explain away these noises.

It's always a good idea to consult with a paediatrician or child psychologist if your child's nighttime fears persist or significantly impact their sleep and well-being.

How do I solve nighttime fears?

Help your little one overcome nighttime anxiety with Unii’s tips.