Children wake up frightened and remember these scary dreams. Nightmares occur mostly during the second half of a night's sleep. They usually relate to developmental challenges, anxiety, and stress. Frequent nightmares may stem from images that stay in their minds after hearing a scary story or seeing a violent TV show or movie. Their nightmares can begin as early as 1 to 2 years of age.
Toddlers have bad dreams about being apart from their parents.
Preschoolers will cry and run to their parents' bedroom. They dream about monsters or the dark. Older children will go back to sleep without waking their parents. Their dreams are often about death or real dangers. Comfort is the best response parents can give a child that is awakened from a nightmare.