Search results
With your understanding and support, your child will eventually feel safe at night and the fear of the dark will pass. This will take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. If their fear persists, discuss it with your child’s pediatrician.
Mar 28, 2022 · Nyctophobia is very common, especially among children. Some researchers estimate that nearly 45% of children have an unusually strong fear of some kind. Fear of the dark is one of the most common fears among kids between 6 and 12 years old. Kids usually outgrow nyctophobia by adolescence, but not always. Advertisement.
Nov 8, 2022 · 1. Get to the root of the fear. Find out what it is about the darkness that’s scaring your child. Ask open-ended questions to allow your child to tell you what’s triggering their fear. Advertisement. Listen to your child to help them identify their fear and name it.
Jun 24, 2019 · So how long do most children hold a fear of the dark? Dr Sheen says it depends on the child, their temperament and how the issue is managed. “A fear of the dark can go right through to primary school years.
May 7, 2020 · If this is happening when your child is about 2 or 3, it’s a safe bet that your child may have developed a fear of the dark. It’s pretty common at this age, said Dr. Alex Mabe, a psychologist at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and it’s completely developmentally normal.
Symptoms persist for at least 6 months. In addition to these signs, researchers also note that children may express their fear or anxiety by “crying, tantrums, freezing, or by clinging” (Samra and Abdijadid 2022). Are children born with a fear of the dark? Not exactly. After all, babies gestate in the darkness of the womb. It’s familiar and safe.
Aug 1, 2024 · Most children who are afraid of the dark grow out of it by age 12. Until then, caretakers can help children overcome their fear of the dark by: