Related Articles
Four Ways to Help Preschoolers Take Medicine
Practical tips to get the medicine in and help your preschooler feel better.
Ten Tips to Get Your Preschooler Reading
Use these tips to introduce your preschoolers to the fun of books.
Nine Home Safety Tips for Preschoolers
Identify risks within your home and learn how to keep preschoolers safe.
Easing Your Preschooler's Bedtime Fears
By Maria Connor
Preschoolers, especially 4- and 5-year-olds, have active imaginations yet often can't discern between what is real and what is pretend. Your child’s bedtime fears may be generated by a genuine belief that something is under his bed or in his closet. If bedtime has become a battle because your preschooler is afraid of the dark (or what’s in it), there are some Dos and Don’ts that can ease his nighttime fears.
DO leave a night-light on.
DO let your preschooler listen to quiet music or story tapes as he falls asleep.
DON’T allow nighttime fears to go unchecked. If they begin to interfere with normal sleep or routines, talk to your pediatrician.
DON’T force your preschooler to remain in the dark.
- Give your preschooler a small flashlight to sleep with.
- If your preschooler is very frightened, arrange a sleeping bag for him on your bedroom floor. But be careful that this does not become a habit.
- Monitor the content of movies and TV shows that may too scary for preschoolers.
- Fill a spray bottle with water and label it “Go Away Spray.” Spritz under the bed, in the closet or behind the dresser to keep the bogeyman at bay.
Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.
Preschoolers, especially 4- and 5-year-olds, have active imaginations yet often can't discern between what is real and what is pretend. Your child’s bedtime fears may be generated by a genuine belief that something is under his bed or in his closet. If bedtime has become a battle because your preschooler is afraid of the dark (or what’s in it), there are some Dos and Don’ts that can ease his nighttime fears.
Preschool Bedtime Dos
DO acknowledge your preschooler’s fears. Ask what he is afraid of, then reassure him that you are nearby and will keep him safe.DO leave a night-light on.
DO let your preschooler listen to quiet music or story tapes as he falls asleep.
Preschool Bedtime Don'ts
DON’T argue or belittle your preschooler for his fears.DON’T allow nighttime fears to go unchecked. If they begin to interfere with normal sleep or routines, talk to your pediatrician.
DON’T force your preschooler to remain in the dark.
More Preschool Bedtime Tips
Here are a few more tried and true bedtime tricks:- Give your preschooler a small flashlight to sleep with.
- If your preschooler is very frightened, arrange a sleeping bag for him on your bedroom floor. But be careful that this does not become a habit.
- Monitor the content of movies and TV shows that may too scary for preschoolers.
- Fill a spray bottle with water and label it “Go Away Spray.” Spritz under the bed, in the closet or behind the dresser to keep the bogeyman at bay.
Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.
