Fear of ghosts in children

if children are alone in their room, they interpret shadows or sounds as threats. Children cannot clearly separate fiction and reality. A hug and "magic drugs" often do more than explain rationally that there are no ghosts.

Where does the fear of monsters come from?

The fear of ghosts is one of the fears that are dependent on maturation. That said, it is normal for girls and boys to experience such fears. The child develops fears in the mother's womb. These are responses to loud noises or other intense stimuli.

• Small children show similar reactions. You are frightened by the unfamiliar. Between the 6th and 9. During the month of the month, the children develop the ability to better distinguish people visually. Before they could only see blurred, now the perception through the eyes improves. You recognize strangers at first sight and strangers.
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• After the first year of life, girls and boys experience fears of being alone. In the dark the children feel alone, so that they too develop fear of the night. Later, from the age of four, fears of ghosts and thunderstorms dominate.
• The children do not understand relationships in nature and physical laws at this age. They do not know that at night moving shadows come from the trees in front of the window, swaying in the wind. Children do not understand that a roof makes noise at night due to temperature changes.


What can I do if my child doesn't want to sleep in the evening?

Everyone who has children knows the situation: You look forward to a strenuous ...

• For children these things are magical and they suspect the work of monsters and ghosts behind them. The knowledge that there could be spirits comes from fairy tales, Books or television. For example, many children show fear of monsters after seeing something about them on television.

Because adults think more logically, they find it difficult to understand this fear. Think back to your own childhood when you watched a horror movie, for example. How did you feel after that? This is how it feels to children when they suspect ghosts and monsters around them at night.

How to Help Children Cope with Ghost Fear

It is important that you do not tell your children not to be afraid or to declare their fears to be nonsense. Such an answer makes the child feel degraded and misunderstood. It will no longer entrust itself to you in the future.

• A simple option is a night light and a calming sleep ritual. The ritual gives your child security, it notices that the parents are there and protect them. The night light illuminates the room a little. The child does not feel left alone in the dark. A cuddly toy can increase the feeling of not being alone and lonely.
• Children suspect monsters and the work of spirits on the basis of magical thinking. They consider the figures to be real. You can use this and put a "magic weapon" against ghosts by the bed. Such a weapon can be a stone. You tell your child that he is keeping the ghosts away. An alternative is a monster spray, which only sprays with water, but drives away everything evil and scary for the child.
• With ghost stones and monster sprays you can use the child's magical thinking against fear. They give him security and convey this in child-friendly images. Ask your child what would help and implement this suggestion.
• Before going to bed, you can shine the flashlight under the bed or in the closet. You then assure your child that you have not encountered any creepy creatures there. Ask your child where they saw the ghost and "control" this place together in the evening.
• You can work with your child to find creative ways to counteract the workings of ghosts. For example, tell your child that ghosts are afraid of themselves, such as crocodiles. A plush crocodile in front of the room door drives away the fantasy figures in the night.
• If the fears persist, it helps to speak to the child about them during the day. Let your kid paint the monster or ghost. Then you will find positive aspects in the picture (e.g. B. that the spirit has beautiful eyes or wears fancy shoes). That puts your child's point of view into perspective.
• If the child called you out of fear, you should answer for explanations (e.g. B. "There is nothing.") Do without. Talking is of little use here. Calm the child down by hugging them. Physical contact calms the children down and reduces the stress they experience.

Overall, it is important not to talk away your fears or dismiss them as nonsense. Instead, use the child's imagination by giving your child “helpers” against the monsters. Remember that the fears are normal. It is an important developmental task for children to overcome these fears. If your child experiences persistent anxiety and you cannot calm the child down, you can contact a child psychologist. Educational counseling centers also offer help.