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Fun Without the Sun
Games in the Dark Can Help Little Ones Overcome Fears By Mark Stackpole
For toddlers and preschoolers, nighttime can often mean monsters under the bed or scary noises outside the window. Being afraid of the dark is a natural and inherently human condition that we all have experienced. From nightlights to nightmares, when the lights go out, our courage tends to go out with it. While this is a perfectly natural phase for kids, "dark equals scary" doesn't have to be the only association that they make.
Even with early bedtimes, there can be some fun to be had after the sun goes down. Not only can twilight and evening activities be enjoyable for the whole family, butthey can be the first step in helping toddlers move past their fear of the dark.
"I like to spend evenings in the boat cleaning, adding new gadgets and equipment and tying lures," Nelson says. "My daughter enjoys helping with these tasks by handing me tools. She also likes to help with watering plants and doing other yard work."
While boat maintenance and lawn care might not be everyone's idea of a good time, the important part is that she joins right in and gets to spend time with her dad. These tasks provide an active, comfortable and relaxing way to unwind from her day and prepare for her evening, just the right kind of transition to make the impending darkness of night a little easier to handle. Fostering feelings of competence and responsibility may also provide the confidence that a child needs to get over a fear of the dark.
In addition to household tasks or an old classic like flashlight tag, there are many other ways for parents to engage their children in nighttime activities.
"How about a short treasure hunt in which kids must gather common items from around the yard?" suggests Nelson's wife, Christine Hierlmayer Nelson, a parenting expert and writer. "The game I Spy is also a fun outdoor activity, as is taking a walk after dinner to digest, relax and talk about the day."