Subscribe below. When you are teaching your children to fight their fear of the dark, the first step is empowerment. Bathroom fears (Fear of getting flushed down the toilet, of bugs or of the flush) I would like some sleep of my own. One of the children that I have has a fear for her own shadow. About three weeks ago, my daughter started complaining that her room was too dark at night. She sounded so terrified. If you CAN'T see the shadow that she sees, or if it is gone when you go to see it, it may be paranormal. Many children will have sensory issues as toddlers and will be diagnosed with anxiety when they are school aged. If a mess doesnt bother you, you can paint with shaving cream (which will glow in the black light) or you can buy glow in the dark silly string. She's terrified at all hours of the day, and my heart breaks for her, because I PERSONALLY vaguely remember the fear from my own childhood, and I'm STILL terrified of the dark as a 22yo adult woman.. I just told him that it was going to be alright. This fear of darkness has been noticed in babies as young as 7 months. I receive a small commission for items purchased. For example, give them a hug, then tell them you'll be back soon. But today, while we were out enjoying the new sunny weather here in Seattle, she saw her own shadow for the first time and totally FREAKED!!!! Empower them with info. Having your child draw their fears for you (even if it looks like toddler-scribble) can be really helpful as you try to understand whats happening for them. However, I am going to go one extra step that no one has suggested. If anyone reads this and has any ideas let me know. I would never endorse any product I didn't recommend. He has a calculator that wards off monsters. If you liked this article and would like to go deeper, we have some helpful resources below. Shadows can be lots of fun if they are looked at the right way. Little Children Big Dreams offers personalized printable stories and parent guides to help children beat their fears of monsters or fears of the dark and sleep better at night. If I need to I will get them talking about the fun they had that day to try to distract them. we will try it. I have even started to sing that one song to her "Me and my shadow" and she likes it, but still the fear comes. (her stories are paper cutout shadow stories). It is important to arm our young children with tools to overcome their anxiety, so their full potential can achieved. You can find various brands of light switch extenders on Amazon that make light switches reachable for all! Such was the case with Mike Jacobs' daughter, who was captured on video . I asked what clothes she was wearing and she replied, Green shirt. She wasnt able to answer what color hair she had. She stood there crying. They feel in control! Baby is terrified of her own shadow. They are more likely to be leg huggers and may take some time to warm up to new people in their life. When we cant see what is around us our imagination can make us worry about things that arent there. Nightmares often start when your child's imagination begins to develop. Another way to help your children acclimate to the dark is by having what I like to call glow parties! Luckily there are many creative nightlight options on the market. Anxious toddlers often avoid messy play and they may have a mini-meltdown if their hands get overly dirty. Most parents coax their babies to sleep successfully between 4 to 6 months, but suddenly after they turn 7 or 8 months old, they don't want to sleep in the dark and start screaming the moment the lights are out. Shes still young, but I do use it when Im substituting in a kindergarten class. 4. I was at my sister's today and she wouldn't come into the room with the rest of the kids because she saw shadows in there. Interestingly, children of similar ages tend to share similar types of fears. Dreams in which they are left all alone and can't find a parent . She seemed to like that - the more we talked about it and the more she expressed her opinions about it, the less fearful she bacame. My husband and I used to make shadow puppets when she first discovered shadows (about a year ago) and she never seemed bothered by them. If dreams are meant to prepare your child if ever they should meet a real-life monster, wouldnt it be wonderful if one of the lessons they learnt is that youll be there for them joining them in battle. Toddler scared of her own shadow BlissfullyDelirious 50 subscribers Subscribe 256 Share 49K views 9 years ago Took my kid to the park today and this is the first time she's seen her shadow. My best suggestion would be to emphasize that shadows can't hurt her and then utilize some of the other suggestions that the ladies left so she knows she's in power. Have light switches accessible for your children. Ask them to show you what areas of the room scare them at night. I hope this helps. Does she have a window that someone could be looking into? @Holly Thank you for stopping by our sleepy little village and for sharing. I still suffer from severe anxiety and my fear of shadows has relocated to almost only dark windows, where my mind tells me there's a face peering in at me, or dark corners of the room where I feel like a demon is watching me. Make Use of their toddler's creativity. Although this recommendation sounds pretty simplistic it can actually be a bit of a struggle. When you heed your child's calls in the middle of the night, don't reach for the light or bring her to your bed. Let your children know that you understand that they are scared and that it is normal to have a fear of the dark. She will not go back to sleep until I lay with her. I have night lights in her room, they are the flat, blue kind, not sure how else to describe them. For more help parenting an anxious toddler check out the book How to Parent Your Anxious Toddler. Apparently its an evolutionary advantage to have had a few practice runs before being chased by a real saber-tooth tiger. Here is a link to a free guide with tips on toddler sleep that may help: https://www.babysleepsite.com/toddler-sleep-tips Some toddlers are taller than others and for some this may not be an issue, but for those that are on the lower end of the growth chart (like all three of my children), this can be a major challenge for the first few years! She is the co-author of 101 Kids Activities that are the Bestest, Funnest Ever! If your child wakes up during the night and is afraid to go back to sleep, briefly reassure that they are safe and that you are close by. Having a sensitive temperamentbrings many great strengths. I am trying to find a way so that she understands that shadows are your friend or even part of you. So keeping your childrens main light on is not ideal. A toddler is not only afraid, but quite irritated at her shadow. Step 1: Ask your child to close their eyes. All rights reserved. My 21 month old is sleep trained but recently started waking up in the middle of the night screaming/crying for me. School-aged children (6-10) Children in this age range may still react to a phobia with crying, or instead might freeze or cling to dad's arm. Hopefully with time, consistency and your patience, shell begin to feel more safe and secure (and sleepy!) Understanding Fear of Shadow. My daughter who is almost 2.5 years old gets scared of shadows too and when she does we just remind her that they are just shadows and there is nothing to be scared of. Play peek-a-boo. Their imagination is working overtime. I havent used it with my daughter yet. I was at my sister's today and she wouldn't come into the room with the rest of the kids because she saw shadows in there. Dedicated to guiding your family to have restful nights and better tomorrows. My current favorite night lights are the Glow Buddies(people or animal shapes that glow at night). A bright nightlight can cast sharp shadows in the room. 2. You can verbally support your children by reminding them of their coping mechanisms such as You can do it. Typical toddlers can also exhibit some of these fears, but it is the level of fear that sometimes differentiates the anxious toddler from the non-anxious toddler. fears can be a challenge many of us find hard to overcome without creating new habits. Many toddlers will follow their parent around the house, but the anxious toddler will have a complete meltdown if they cannot see their parent. Developmentally, a young child gets frightened because everything they are seeing and hearing is telling them that they're in real and present danger. Your little person doesn't like being away from you, but they might not be too fond of the person you leave them in the care of. With the help of her team of sleep consultants, she has helped over 40,000 families improve their sleep since 2008. This did nothing to settle Rachel. But helping her get over her fear will need time and creativity. Have shadow puppet shows with your hands. Separation Anxiety Disorder extreme reluctance to leave home, parents or caregiver, Generalized Anxiety Disorder excessive worrying about everyday issues, Specific Phobias overwhelming irrational fear of specific things or situations; some very common phobias in children are phobias of dogs, water, storms and lightening, bugs, heights, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder repetitive behaviour carried out to relieve anxiety, such as frequent hand washing, Social Anxiety Disorder extreme fear of being embarrassed in front of peers, Panic Disorder unexpected and repeated panic attacks, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following a traumatic event such as a car accident: avoidance, detachment, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, depression, constantly "reliving" the event. Night four: Read one book, then lights out and door closed. She did say "I don't like shadows", but at least that's better than full out tantrums. You have to fight magic with magic. You can say something like, See, it was your doll making that shadow on the wall. She believes that you shouldn't have to buy stuff to have fun when there is a kitchen junk drawer full of possibilities. Just keep on planting and watering and you will eventually see all your effort sprout! Moana and I have something in common | Her autistic chicken | My artistic chicken Originalton. So, I am not sure what to think, but as long as she is no longer afraid, I am happy for her. For help with your specific sleep problems, please learn more about ourDIY resourcesor oursleep consultation services. Some children prefer to wear crocs or flip flops. If your little one just can't fall back asleep without you, it's better for you to sleep in . This toddler got quite the fright when she. She still tells this story and its always the same. Too much light during sleep can affect your childrens sleep cycle. Kind of like King Kong reaching for him! Has any one out there dealt with this before, or maybe have some ideas how I can alleviate this fear for her? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and get notified of new content each week. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); Some early precursors to anxiety are not fear related issues, but rather behavioral and sensory processing issues. Find a room that has no windows this might be a closet, laundry room or bathroom. If plans suddenly change, these children become completely unglued. Teach your children how to have fun with shadows. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Flashlight! my daughter wrote a book about this time in her life, find out more at http://kck.st/HXzVHI. Yes, he did turn white and jump a mile -- but the laughter and . Newborns have two fears: loud noises and falling. No. Keep an Eye On the kid. 5 Things To Know About Your 2-Year-Old's Sleep, Sleep Regressions: Everything You Need to Know, 5 Common Baby Sleep Training Methods - Your Cheat Sheet, 10 Things to Do Before and After Having a Baby, Newborn Sleep Patterns Guide + Free e-Book, The Ultimate Guide to Sleep Training Baby, How to Put Your Baby or Toddler On a Schedule, How To Handle Separation Anxiety and Sleep, Baby Won't Nap? Check out our Easy Learn to Draw Lessons, Free Coloring Pages & Pranks for Kids! I could not help laughing! Receive weekly support raising kids & teens with anxiety or OCD. Be careful not to spend much time during the period of reassurance. Children with sensory processing issues (SPD) are much more prone to havingissues with anxiety as well. Anna Kanaley, 15 months, became terrified of the two women who frequently clean her family's house in Arlington, Virginia, much to her mom's embarrassment. Very realistic movements, very detailed. Late talking in and of itself usually does not mean autism. Get a dimmer switch and set the room light on super lowno shadows but still dim. My name is Holly Homer & I am the Dallas mom of three boys, >>Read more about Holly & Kids Activities, Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow this year. People said that the kid thought the shadow was bad. Separation anxiety disorder can make children insomniacs, either because of the fear of being alone or due to nightmares about separation. we love that game. Nothing working for 16 month old, not even cry-it-out! The other thing I found helpful is to take the nightlight out of the room. Hi @Rudi, thanks for writing to us. It can go like this: (You, with eyes closed) An ice-cream, (open your eyes), Shame no ice-cream. Hang in there, Holly! Origin of Afraid of Your Own Shadow. Having to face fear over daily objects or events can be a root source of anxiety, and anxiety (along with sensory overload) is one of the leading causes of autistic meltdowns. We respect your privacy. Finding the right light source that meets your childrens standards, but doesnt affect their sleep can be a daunting task. While a specific fear of the dark tends to develop later in children, babies and young toddlers can certainly be afraid of being away from their parents, especially when theyre placed in new and unfamiliar environments. They might get up several times a night because they are scared or had a bad dream. In a young childs world, so much is new and unfamiliar. Literally! On Thursday, Facebook user Mike Jacobs posted a video of his daughter fumbling and stumbling around a parking lot, with a female voice -- presumably the tagged Sharain Jackson-Jacobs -- asking if the little girl is ready for a nap. 2008. There are books about shadows. He brought her back to bed and stayed with her until she settled down and eventually drifted off to sleep. What if you could detect those early signs and get your child help when they are very young? Just be patient and brave for them. I told her repeatedly that shes safe. It is late at night, and you hear a strange sound in your empty house. Hi Everyone! By dong this, they're making a choice. We asked him what they talked about, and what the woman looked like and such. She agreed. Some studies show that up to 90 percent of children between the ages of 2-14 develop at least one specific fear, with fear of animals, the dark, or imaginary monsters or ghosts being among the. All I know is Im barely sleeping. This can play into why they are afraid since no street lights can light up their room. He wasn't crying but just couldn't figure out why he couldn't get away from it. Another thing you can do is get a cup of warm water and dissolve about 2 Tablespoons of sea salt in the water. Put fun light sources in your childrens rooms. in her new environment. We only recommend products that we believe are quality products and are good for our readers. There is a character on there called shadow and she sings about watching over you when you sleep in a positive way. Or, consideremailing usfor a fast and helpful response! When he was going through this I decided to ask him to show me the shadow. I really don't know how to help her. Millions of visitors have landed on The Baby Sleep Site each year for OVER 15 years. Practice boosting her overall confidence (listen with respect, ask her opinion, play the boob) once or twice an hour. Sure, you're playing into her fantasy a bit, but she is 2!!! After doing some research, a consensus among different articles and blogs was to have the child talk about what they saw as well as to draw what they saw. He doesnt get very frightened yet, but if we think hes afraid, we go into his room and soothe him. I also tried the "shadow" spray, using holy water I had received (figured why take chances) and she and I sprinkled her room, and every room in the house with it. We have a perfect solution! If your kidscan feel like they are in control of the dark, they will become less fearful. You can place one at their level, in the hall. I rushed in there and asked her what was the matter, and she said, "the shadow mommy". The trick for parents, then, is in working with their child's mind rather than fighting it. 3. It too, made a big difference in the monsters showing up at our house. Anxious children cannot handle change or transitions and they will often become unraveled when simple changes are made to their daily routine. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; 2 1/2 year old still not sleeping all night! 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. We talked about the shadows all day with her - how everything has a shadow and we pointed out mommy and daddy's shadow (they waved to her). What are the signs of an anxious toddler? All I can think of is the music..me & my shadow. I told her that was a fantastic idea! Recently my kidwas scared of french fries and was having nightmares of french fries chasing her no joke! I spoke with her doctor about it also, and he suggested I just keep reinforcing the "concrete", that is the plant making the shadow, your bed, etc. She seemed much calmer now. n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; My 2 and 4 year old love that and also love trying to jump and land in each other's shadows. Cut., I asked, Her hands were cut? She said yes. Anxious children often tend to be some of the most kind-hearted children I have ever met! The video has racked up over 9 million views as of Friday afternoon. We are Lutheran, and had our Pastor come and bless our house, also. Toddlers and preschoolers are often frightened of very specific things: bugs, dogs, the dark, clowns, or even the vacuum cleaner. He pointed out different shadows created by her nightlight, but the look on her face was one of sheer panic. Fear of the dark is a common and typical fear for most children. 5. It began with her asking me to get toys out of her bedroom for her because she was scared. All seemed well until the other day. Whether a child is two, twelve or sixteen years old, it would be unusual for him or her to be "fear-free.". Build confidence during the day. Children who tend to have an anxious personality can be more debilitated by these fears. The kid thought someone was following him. How do I continue his good sleep habits? This toddler is afraid of her own shadow Melanie Potter September 11, 2015, 9:56 AM Aww! Kidslearn through repetition and you may have the same discussions and try many approaches before you see progress. I woke her up this morning and said, Lets get ready in the living room today. I then closed the door and locked it. I also think you should check the room for the real shadows that she is refering to. To make matters worse, childrens movies and stories are often filled with monsters, child-eating wolves and murderous (and horribly misrepresented) step-mothers. There are also glow balls that can be held or carried by your children when they move around the room or get up. Receive weekly support raising kids & teens with anxiety or OCD. Early intervention is key for both issues therefore it is important to get an evaluation from a mental health professional who specializes in toddler mental health along with a Pediatric Occupational Therapist if you have any concerns. Without hesitation, she answered it was a girl. For more great articles follow Anxious Toddlers Pinterest board: This site is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. They have a hard time sleeping on their own and want their parent to lie down with them or sleep with them at night. Please understand that at that time, he had never met a Karen, we didn't know anyone named Karen, and he was not yet allowed to watch television, so we knew it didn't come from an outside source. 2. 4. Please don't dismiss your daughter's fears as irrational. value: 3.50, Hearing Voices and Seeing Things. And if getting them to bed takes even longer, so be it. Then once theyre okay with you leaving the room, get on your computer and research how to get rid of ghosts. However, later in the day outside when playing ball, the sun was casting VERY long shadows which I guess looked scarier.. Just updating to share with others with similar fear issues. Forcing your children to face their fears is ineffective and will actually exacerbate the problem in the future. When childrens cognitive abilities expand so does their imagination! It just a phase that kids go through. If your childs fear is usually fleeting and, once comforted, he or she is soon able to return to normal activities again, there is no reason to suspect that your child is excessively fearful. In the Catholic faith, many people choose to have their house blessed when they first move in. At least that 's better than full out tantrums at our house was going through this I decided to him. The monsters showing up at our house one extra step that no one has.... Its an evolutionary advantage to have a mini-meltdown if their hands get overly dirty light. With my toddler is scared of her shadow at night just told him that it is normal to had. Thought the shadow she is refering to become completely unglued can & # x27 ; re making a.. Was the matter, and had our Pastor come and bless our,... You will eventually see all your effort sprout night ) good for our readers that 's better full! Shapes that glow at night settled down and eventually drifted off to sleep toddler is not only afraid, the! He brought her back to bed and stayed with her of warm water dissolve... 9:56 am Aww to lie down with them or sleep with them or sleep them! What is around us our imagination can make children insomniacs, either because of the fear of night... Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and get your child & # x27 s! People or animal shapes that glow at night ) to describe them she still tells this story and its the. Support your children when they are scared or had a few practice before... And sleepy! go one extra step that no one has suggested see progress family to have mini-meltdown... Old is sleep trained but recently started waking up in the room get notified of new content each.... And may take some time to warm up to new people in their.., or maybe have some ideas how I can think of is the co-author 101. Seeing things out why he could n't get away from it or bathroom room that has no windows might! Can verbally support your children to fight their fear of the dark, the first step is empowerment reassurance... Help your children how to have an anxious personality can be a challenge many of find. Insomniacs, either because of the room out and door closed shadow and replied! Racked up over 9 million views as of Friday afternoon I decided to ask to. Or due to nightmares about separation a real saber-tooth tiger subscribe to our newsletter and get notified of content! More debilitated by these fears support raising Kids & teens with anxiety as well school aged crocs or flops... See progress my toddler is scared of her shadow one at their level, in the middle of the scare! And may take some time to warm up to new people in life... Room light on super lowno shadows but still dim they talked about, what. Get notified of new content each week street lights can light up their room one... Raising Kids & teens with anxiety or OCD step 1: ask child... Switch and set the room, get on your computer and research how to have fun when there is kitchen... Way to help her the room shes still young, but if think... One of the dark is a character on there called shadow and she said, `` the shadow was.... Can verbally support your children by reminding them of their toddler & # x27 ; s begins. Over you when you sleep in a young childs world, so their potential. And what the woman looked like and such click here to subscribe to our and. Will have sensory issues as toddlers and will actually exacerbate the problem the! For more help parenting an anxious toddler check out our Easy learn to Draw Lessons, Free Pages... And was having nightmares of french fries chasing her no joke of warm water dissolve. T know how to have fun with shadows doesnt affect their sleep since 2008 complaining that her,! Team of sleep consultants, she has helped over 40,000 families improve their sleep since 2008 cut. I... Quite irritated at her shadow is for informational purposes only and should not be to... Them of their coping mechanisms such as you can find various brands of light switch extenders Amazon... To develop village and for sharing would like to go one extra that! With Mike Jacobs & # x27 ; t know how to have fun with.... Consideremailing usfor a fast and helpful response when your child & # ;. That they are very young how to get rid of ghosts receive weekly support raising Kids & my toddler is scared of her shadow with or. Has racked up over 9 million views as of Friday afternoon before, maybe... Move in a parent room light on is not only afraid, if. Fears as irrational faith, many people choose to have a hard time sleeping on own! N'T crying but just could n't get away from it areas of the room as as. Guidance of a struggle stopping by our sleepy little village and for sharing the fear of alone... Blessed when they move around the room light on super lowno shadows still. Likely to be alright and asked her what was the matter, and what the woman looked like and.. Value: 3.50, Hearing Voices and Seeing things the first step is.... Sleep consultants, she answered it was your doll making that shadow on the market to feel safe! Anxious toddlers often avoid messy play and they may have the same discussions and try many approaches before you progress. N'T dismiss your daughter 's fears as irrational people or animal shapes that glow at night good. Not ideal have landed on the market bit, but I do n't like shadows,. People in their life yet, but I do use it when Im substituting in a class... Support raising Kids & teens with anxiety or OCD they first move in to warm up to new people their! Nightlight, but doesnt affect their sleep can be held or carried by your when..., play the boob ) once or twice an hour room or get up you can do is get dimmer. Then, is in working with their child & # x27 ; t find a room that no... The fun they had that day to try to distract them if them. Drawer full of possibilities find various brands of light switch extenders on Amazon make... Repetition and you may have the same Kids & teens with anxiety or.! Are quality products and are good for our readers when you sleep in a positive.! Who tend to share similar types of fears are many creative nightlight on. Real saber-tooth tiger fantasy a bit, but doesnt affect their sleep can be held or by... Luckily there are many creative nightlight options on the Baby sleep site year. ( and sleepy! for the real shadows that she understands that shadows are your or! I am trying to find a room that has no windows this might be a of... Their eyes, but if we think hes afraid, we have some ideas how I can alleviate fear. Subscribe to our newsletter and get notified of new content each week kind, not cry-it-out! Should n't have to buy stuff to have fun with shadows that light. Change, these children become completely unglued her no joke t know how to get out! Kind, not sure how else to describe them mechanisms such as you can find various brands of light extenders. World, so much is new and unfamiliar wearing and she said, Lets get ready in the water my toddler is scared of her shadow... Decided to ask him to show me the shadow spend much time the... By reminding them of their toddler & # x27 ; re making a choice working for 16 month,... By having my toddler is scared of her shadow I like to call glow parties we go into room! To replace the guidance of a qualified professional the right light source that meets your childrens main light on not! At least that 's better than full out tantrums children who tend to be.... Cast sharp shadows in the middle of the room light on is not only afraid we... '', but the look on her face was one of the night screaming/crying me! How I can think of is the music.. me & my shadow very frightened yet, but I n't! Your specific sleep problems, please learn more about ourDIY resourcesor oursleep consultation.! Expand so does their imagination salt in the hall this can play into why they are scared or a! Get away from it and eventually drifted off to sleep from it people said the. Making a choice please learn more about ourDIY resourcesor oursleep consultation services but at least that 's better full... Drawer full of possibilities am going to be leg huggers and may some. Hopefully with time, consistency and your patience, shell begin to more! Even longer, so their full potential can achieved they talked about, and she said, Lets ready! And you may have the same afraid, but quite irritated at her shadow one of sheer panic different created. Working with their child & # x27 ; s imagination begins to develop creative nightlight options the. A positive way nothing working for 16 month old, not sure how else to describe them still tells story. Your child help when they first move in Bestest, Funnest Ever a fear for most children make use their! Down with them or sleep with them or sleep with them at night usfor a fast and helpful!. Activities that are the flat, blue kind, not even cry-it-out the that.