Evening star., 1939-10-26
Is
Best Cure
For Fear
Fright in Darkness
Often Caused by
Daily Routine
BY ANGELO PATRI.

Nobody knows what frightens a
child in the dark Children who have
been perfectly free from fear sud-
denly waken one night and show
every evidence Of. fright. They
tremble; and cry and- insist upon
getting into bed with father and
mother. One said he saw a bear
looking IN at his window: one said
an Indian jumped on his bed; a
little girl said she saw fiery eyes
peeking out from under the bed
Search, however thorough, discloses
no reason for the fear. The children
were frightened to the point of hys-
terra, but they could not tell what
frightened them, really Their par
ents are eager to comfort them. rid
them Of the fear, but they can find
nothing that seems to cure it.
First examine the diet of the
frightened child. Indigestion, in
any form. is likely to lower the vital
ity of the child and bring on such
fears in the night. The family doc
tor will advise about this.
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time. Were there any exciting tales?
A radio terror program? A movie
In the afternoon that was filled with
shooting? Any conversation about
frightening things? The hour be-
fore bedtime should be pitched to the
bedtime tone-quiet, cheerful, gentle.
Sleep comes on quiet feet, but 1t
takes wings before a gale of noise.
Con the list of playmates. Is
there a bully among them? Any
one doing frightening stunts with a
pistol. airgun. knife or sword? Any
one talking big and strutting wildly?
These associations seem harmless
enough by day, but sometimes they
return as nightmares and frighten
sensitive children out of their wits.
Check up the daily experiences Of
the child. Is anybody in the family
threatening or Furnishing him? ANY,
body who disciplines him by fear?
Any visiting relative who dislikes
him and makes his life miserable un-
der cover? That has happened. ANY,
body telling him that the policeman,
or the ragman, or the old witch will
get him? Such things happen and
the child does not tell.
Sometimes 1t is impossible to find
the cause of the fear. Do all pos
sible to build up the child's health.
Encourage him to be hapr" Praise
him for any signs Of sci. control
and courage. When he has these
attacks of fear in the night turn on
the light and soothe him. Don't take
him out of his own bed if it is at all
possible to keep him there. Once he
leaves his bed he will want to do that
always. and that does not help check
the fear habit that is forming.
Put a night light on the child's bed
within handy reach. Teach him to
turn on the light the moment he
awakens. Encourage him to lie still,
say over his prayers, and when he
feels better turn out the light. Tell
him that is what grown-up people
do when they awake in the night.
BY and by, if this is held before him
as a desirable standard he will at
tain it. Self-help is the best possible
cure for fear.
Don't hesitate to give a child who
is afraid of the dark permission to
have light as long as he thinks he
needs it. Be casual about it. Take
the attitude that there is nothing
to worry about, light or no light, and
say nothing about the fear if you
can help it. Don't try to talk cour-
age into him because that can't be
done. Be quiet, assured, and give
him light. And don't forget to have
the family doctor check him up from
head to toe.