Group helps kids, parents cope with night terrors

Last Update: 10/27 5:33 pm

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LYONS, Kansas – Halloween can be a scary time of year, especially for young kids who can get bad nightmares. One local group is helping parents understand when kids are just having nightmares and when it could be something more severe.

We all know the tale of the “Three Little Pigs” but for young children, the Big Bad Wolf can be frightening. Sunflower Diversified hopes a puppet show demonstrates to parents how sometimes kids have a hard time knowing what’s real and what’s imaginary.

“They're just now learning how to decipher that over the next few years, but also how to cope with things and where to put them in their minds as far as being dangerous or scary,” said Cathy Estes with Sunflower Early Childhood Education.

Scary things can lead to nightmares for kids and sometimes they can experience a more severe condition known as night terrors.

“With a night terror, the child doesn't see you or know you're there and the terror continues and sometimes can be made worse by touch,” Estes said.

Night terrors often happen early in the evening – often before parents go to bed. During a night terror, a child will often toss and turn uncontrollably. Looking at the child’s behavior the next morning is often the best way to detect if the child had a nightmare or night terror.

“The child won't have any recollection of the night terror,” Estes said. “But with a nightmare, they may still be a little agitated or remember not sleeping well.”

Children are most prone to night terrors before the age of six and they are often caused by stress. Comforting your child and helping them cope with being spooked might help avoid night terrors.

Sunflower is planning more educational play groups for parents and their kids. The next session will cover stress coping skills. To learn more call Cathy Estes at 800-692-4087.

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