Since a child's imagination is extremely rich, it can literally be a nightmare when it comes to a racing mind during bedtime. While conquering nightmare can be a bit of demanding, there are ways for your toddler to get back to a peaceful sleeping track.
Toddlers who wake up crying, seem scared or have trouble getting back to sleep may mean they had a nightmare. It can be difficult for a toddler to explain their nightmare, let alone, pinpoint what caused the nighttime distress.
"Preschoolers tend to have a difficult time differentiating between reality and fantasy - hence the fear of monsters under the bed or the boogie man lurking in the closet," according to Kim West, a child and family therapist.
Typically, nightmares are caused by something that happened just before bed such as an upsetting show or a scary story. Fortunately, there are ways to calm down a rushing mind and ease a toddler's nightmares.
1. Provide a relaxing atmosphere
Let your toddler choose a special nightlight to help with having peace of mind during the dark, according to Parenting. If nightlights are too much of a nuisance, keeping the bedroom door open is a good alternative.
In addition, keep the bedroom at a comfortable temperature for a good night's rest. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the perfect temperature for a restful sleep is on the cooler side at around 65 degrees.
2. Look to a helper
Many toddlers have a stuffed animal or blanket that can help them get through the night. These helpers will make a nice bedtime transition into a nice and peaceful sleep.
3. Turn off electronic devices
"Violent movies or games before bed will certainly not help calm a child's mind down. Turning off electronic devices such as TV, tablets and computer games is essential an hour before bedtime.
4. Read to them
There are many bedtime books that provide cozy and happy situations such as the classic "Goodnight Moon" by author Margareth Wise Brown. There are children's books about characters that have dealt with nighttime jotters, which can help your toddler overcome his own nighttime fears.
5. Provide reassurance
Probably the most important thing to do is to go to your toddler when a nightmare happens. Physical reassurance is important such as rubbing her back, cuddling her, or staying in the room until she goes back to sleep, according to Baby Center.
In some cases, talking to a toddler when she is old enough to understand can help since there is reassurance that the dream was only a dream. At this age, toddlers would have a hard time grasping the difference between reality and dreams but with proper explanation, they may be able to understand it more than you think.
