Parents should spend extra time with their child, making him or her feel special and loved. Indeed, the intensity and duration of the child's reactions decrease more rapidly when families show they understand. Children may refuse to go to bed alone and may insist on sleeping with their parents, or having someone present in their room. They may suddenly be terrified of the dark or of animals. Once asleep, they may have terrible nightmares during which they relive the disaster, then wake up crying and screaming.
Nightmares are an extension of normal dreaming and a natural part of a child's development.
However, young children cannot always readily distinguish fantasy from reality and sleeping from being awake. For a child, the frightening creatures and events in the nightmare may seem as large or as real as life. Parents can also help by providing opportunities for the child to exercise and play vigorously. Such activities will help the child work off excess tension and energy and contribute to an uninterrupted night's sleep. A warm bath, quiet play, telling a story, singing a quiet song, providing a cuddly toy all contribute to the sense of security, comfort, and well-being so effective in preventing nightmares.