Many children cannot or do not want to fall asleep in the dark. They prefer it if at least a small light remains on in the room at night. schwinn vantage f3 it does not matter whether it is a bedside lamp or light that shines in from outside through the half-open door.
Even a special child-friendly night light quickly takes away the fear of the monsters in the closet or under the bed. Why is this so and which night light is best for your child?
General definition
Not only children can be afraid of the dark, but adults are also afraid of it. In doing so, they develop a completely exaggerated fear of the dark, which is therefore also referred to as an anxiety disorder. The technical term is achluophobia, but the fear is also referred to as nyctophobia or lygophobia.
Adults or children do not want to leave the house at night. But they also do not enter dark rooms or attics and basements. The trigger can be a traumatic experience, which can be combated by behavioral therapy.
Manifestation and causes in children
In children, however, a traumatic experience is not necessary. They automatically go through various fears, as developmental psychologists confirm. Infants, for example, are afraid of strangers or of being separated from their parents.
The fear of darkness comes at kindergarten age along with the fear of burglars or various ghosts and fantasy figures. But also the fear of animals or being abandoned is a problem. In a further development, exam fears and school phobias are added, which as teenagers also lead to social fears.
So if your child is afraid in the dark, it’s psychologically explainable and normal. Nevertheless, you can support it positively with a night light and take away its inner restlessness.
What effect does a night light have?
If your child cannot sleep for fear of fantasy creatures and ghosts, health problems due to lack of sleep can be the result. A small light, which at least slightly illuminates the child’s surroundings, shows that there are no monsters. The calming effect makes it easier for the child to fall asleep. However, you should not use too bright and intrusive lighting. Because then the child is kept awake by the light.
However, the night light is especially important at night, when the child suddenly wakes up. Because then it lies in absolute darkness and gets scared. With a small night light, it can orient itself more easily. In addition, he immediately sees that there is no threat in his room.
When does a night light for children make sense?
Babies can usually sleep in complete darkness without any problems. They also don’t have fear fantasies yet. When they wake up and scream, it is usually because they are hungry or because they are alone. For children from 2 years of age, however, they are optimal as a sleep aid. Even older and anxious children – and of course adults with a corresponding phobia – can fall back on simple night lights at any time.
The night light has several advantages: on the one hand, children can become independent faster and, for example, take something to drink or go to the toilet. But also the parents who want to look after the child in the middle of the night or want to wrap the baby can orient themselves better. And they don’t have to turn on the strong ceiling light to take a look inside the nursery.
What should the night light be like for children?
The selection in this area is large and also available in many price ranges. In addition, there is a wide range of different designs and technical characteristics.
Simple LED night lights for the socket can also be used in long corridors or staircases. They enable economical lighting without shining everything brightly at night.
Then there are battery- and battery-powered night lights that are not connected to the mains like bedside lamps. This allows the child to take them with him when going to the toilet. Or even shine under his bed if he wants. Mood lights additionally soothe through their color effect.
Some lights can both create different colors and throw patterns on the wall. Popular are, for example, starry skies or other children’s motifs. Luminaires are not only available as bedside lamps, but also with wall or ceiling mounting.
Some have an additional dimmer function. Other night lights, best hybride bike even battery-powered ones, have an additional motion detector. The light only turns on when the child wakes up.
Our tip
Here we have a few tips for you to browse. So you can see what types of night lights there are, what they look like and what they can do.
Some of our most popular products in this area include:
- The LED baby night light with infrared motion detector for the socket.
- The socket light “Rainbow Galaxy” with 6 interchangeable motifs. Turns on automatically in the dark.
- Battery-powered night light Easter Bunny (LED, 12.5 cm tall).
- Night light cuddly bears to cuddle and fall asleep. For infants and children up to 2 years. Technology: Adjustable light intensity, child-proof batteries, timer. There are 40 melodies and 2 sung songs included.