Verified by the Tequesta teaching team, based on day-to-day work with children aged 1.5–6 years.
At some stage in their lives, many children experience difficulties falling asleep or maintaining a peaceful night’s rest. Night-time anxiety – manifesting as fears of darkness, loneliness, or imaginary threats – is a completely natural developmental phenomenon that can affect the well-being and daily rhythm of the entire family. At Tequesta, we address this issue with care and understanding, knowing how crucial it is to create a sense of security even after dusk.
Why does night-time anxiety occur?
A child’s imagination
Little ones have highly developed imaginations – they can create entire worlds full of characters (not always friendly) in their minds. Evening quiet time often stimulates their fantasies, which can sometimes lead to frightening visions or bad dreams.
Developmental changes
Any developmental leap or new experience (for example, starting preschool or moving to a new home) can trigger additional stress. Sometimes children can’t name their worries during the day, and the anxiety intensifies only when they lie down to sleep.
Excess sensory stimulation
In an era of intense digitisation and constant information flow (TV, tablet, smartphone), an abundance of stimuli can be overwhelming. Unprocessed impressions from the day may “demand” attention at night, increasing stress levels.
Improper bedtime habits
An excess of stimulating activities right before bedtime (for example, loud computer games or action-packed cartoons) can make it hard for a child to calm down, thus contributing to night-time fears.
How to recognise night-time anxiety in a child?
Difficulty falling asleep
The child may toss and turn in bed for a long time, avoid going to sleep, ask to keep the light on, or come up with various excuses (for example, asking for another glass of water) just to delay lights-out.
Night-time awakenings
Frequent awakenings, crying, or screaming in the middle of the night, along with the inability to calm down without a parent’s presence, can indicate that the child’s mind is “locked onto” a fear associated with night-time.
Feeling unwell during the day
When a child doesn’t get enough sleep, they may become irritable, have difficulty concentrating, or avoid activities they previously enjoyed. Chronic fatigue can also lead to a lowered mood.
Effective support strategies
Creating a safe space
- Consistent bedtime routine – at Tequesta, we always encourage parents to establish calm, repetitive evening habits. This can include reading a story, talking about the day just passed, or quietly listening to soothing music. As a result, a child associates bedtime with pleasant and predictable activities.
- Friendly environment – a favourite night light, a cuddly toy, or a security blanket can significantly increase a child’s feeling of safety. It’s worth ensuring that the child’s room isn’t overly bright or filled with noisy devices. Warm, calming wall colours and subtle decorations also promote relaxation.
Talking about emotions
- Name the fear – children aren’t always able to articulate what scares them. Ask simple questions like “Did something worry you today?” or “Did something happen that made you feel uncomfortable?” Help your child find the right words to describe their unease.
- Reassure them of your presence – remind your child that they are not alone in their fear. Explain that everyone feels afraid sometimes, even adults. Offer a hug, calmly stay in their room for a few minutes, or encourage them to draw their “monsters” and symbolically overcome them.
Limiting stimuli before bedtime
- Turn off electronics – about an hour before bed, it’s a good idea to switch off the TV, tablet, and other electronic devices. Instead, suggest calming activities (like puzzles, reading books, or colouring).
- Avoid intense emotions – try not to engage in difficult discussions or situations that require significant mental effort from the child just before bedtime. Loud arguments or stressful news can intensify night-time fears.
Relaxation exercises
- Breathing exercise – a simple technique is “belly breathing”. Ask your child to place a hand on their stomach and slowly breathe in so their hand rises with the inhale. Then have them breathe out, counting to three, for example.
- Visualisation – invite your child to imagine a peaceful, friendly place (for example, a meadow full of flowers or a sandy beach). Let them describe in turn what they see, hear, or feel in this “imagined realm.” This technique helps shift their thoughts from anxiety to relaxation.
How does Tequesta help?
At our international preschool, we understand well that a sense of security is essential – even when it comes to night-time worries. Therefore:
- we strengthen routines and predictability – throughout the day as well as during afternoon rest or naptime, we maintain consistent routines, which helps children feel more secure at home too,
- we talk about emotions – in a safe environment, it’s easier to put feelings into words. Children also learn that they can express fear, anger, or sadness, and a teacher will help them find ways to deal with these challenging emotions,
- we involve parents – at Tequesta, we place strong emphasis on collaborating with parents. Sharing experiences and ideas on how to establish bedtime routines can yield surprisingly good results and help prevent night-time fears.
When is it time to seek professional help?
If, despite implementing the methods described above, night-time anxiety persists for a very long time, nightmares become more frequent, and the child clearly suffers from lack of sleep, it’s worth consulting a paediatrician or child psychologist. Sometimes professional support helps uncover deeper sources of stress and develop individual strategies to manage it.
Night-time anxiety is an inseparable part of growing up; however, with the right amount of patience, empathy, and clearly outlined routines, you can help your child get through this stage more comfortably. At Tequesta, our priorities are safety, acceptance, and close cooperation with parents, ensuring that each child can feel confident – both during the day and at night. If you notice that your Little One is having sleep problems or night-time anxiety, we encourage you to talk to our team. Together, we’ll make sure that the night becomes a time of rest and rejuvenation, rather than a source of fear.
FAQ – Night-time anxiety in children
Is night-time anxiety in a child normal?
Yes. Fears of darkness, loneliness or imaginary threats are a natural developmental phenomenon. A child’s imagination is rich, and evening quiet time encourages fantasies to run wild, which is why anxiety tends to intensify at bedtime.
Does a night light help a child who is afraid of the dark?
It can. A favourite, not-too-bright night light, a cuddly toy or a security blanket strengthens the sense of safety. It is worth making sure the room does not have overly intense lights or noisy devices.
How can I talk to a child who is afraid to go to sleep?
Calmly and with simple questions, for example: “Did something worry you today?” A child cannot always name their fear, so it helps to offer the words. It also helps to remind them that they are not alone with their fear and that everyone, even adults, feels afraid sometimes.
Can screens before bed make night-time fears worse?
They can. An excess of stimuli, especially from action-packed cartoons or games right before sleep, makes it harder to calm down. It is worth switching off the TV, tablet and other devices about an hour before bed and suggesting quiet activities such as puzzles, books or colouring.
When should night-time anxiety prompt a consultation with a specialist?
If anxiety persists for a very long time despite calm routines, nightmares become more frequent and the child clearly suffers from lack of sleep, it is worth talking to a paediatrician or child psychologist. A specialist can help uncover the causes and choose individual strategies.
