📩 27/09/2023 11:49
Specialist Psychologist Duygu Kodak from Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital explained 5 correct approach models to children experiencing night fear and made important warnings and suggestions.
''Night fear' is a part of normal development, though!”
Expert Psychologist Duygu Kodak stated that many night fears are a part of normal development and that they arise thanks to children's awareness of the dangers that exist in the world around them. "In fact, what causes them to imagine scary scenes such as ghosts, aliens, thieves, monsters; It is the child's developing cognitive ability.” said. However, according to research; Expert Psychologist Kodak emphasized that night fears, which indicate a problem 'beyond the child's normal development', have become rapidly widespread in recent years and that the use of digital media has a great impact on this, and said: “Research shows; It reveals that scary or violent movie trailers, trailers and games have extremely negative effects on children. Because young children cannot distinguish between reality and fiction, they are more likely to experience intense fear at night after viewing disturbing images.”
If you have night fear, how should you approach it?
Expert Psychologist Duygu Kodak listed 5 correct approaches to children experiencing night fear as follows:
”Restrict his access!”
”Make sure to restrict your child's access to media containing anything violent or scary via phone, tablet or computer.
"Do not have it examined an hour before going to bed!"
Researches; It shows that using digital media before going to bed at night can affect sleep quality. Therefore, persuade him to stop using his phone, tablet and computer at least an hour before going to bed, by making age-appropriate explanations.
"Listen to their fears, do not underestimate them!"
Understand your child's fears. Give your child the opportunity to talk about what scared him before going to bed. But if he's not ready to talk, don't force him. Don't trivialize or make fun of his fear. A fear that may seem ridiculous to an adult may seem very real to a child, and the child who feels misunderstood becomes more anxious.
"You can go to bed together!"
If he is very afraid and you think he cannot tolerate being left alone in his room, you can go to bed with him at first until he gets used to it to help him feel comfortable and safe before going to bed. It's okay to stay by his bed until he falls asleep. Keeping a toy with him throughout the night, a dim light that will not prevent him from falling asleep, and leaving the door open before going to bed can also alleviate his fears.
"Assure him that his bed is safe!"
If your child gets up and comes to your room at night, take him back to bed and reassure him about his safety. You can stay with him until he falls asleep. Do not encourage your child to get out of bed, it is important that they learn that their bed is a safe and comfortable place. "The child who experiences that he is in his bed and that everything is okay will also learn that his room is a safe place."