Otherwise, the developing child may have a hard time going to sleep alone. Nightmares are relatively common. The child remembers nightmares, which usually involve major threats to the child's well-being. Nightmares, which begin at a variety of ages, affect girls more often than boys. For some, nightmares are serious and frequent.
Sleep terrors are different from nightmares.
The child with sleep terrors will scream uncontrollably and appear to be awake, but is confused and can't communicate. Sleep terrors usually begin between the ages of 4 and 12. Children who sleepwalk may appear to be awake as they move around, but are actually asleep and in danger of hurting themselves. Sleepwalking usually begins between ages 6 and 12. Most often, children with parasomnias have single or occasional episodes of these disorders.