Helping Your Child With Bad Dreams

Many children have an occasional nightmare, usually of monsters or similar creatures. If your child wakes from a scary dream and has difficulty getting back to sleep, speak calmly and reassure your child that it was only a dream, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics. Encourage your child to describe the dream if he or she wants to, but again, provide reassurance. If your child begins having more frequent nightmares, talk to your child's health care provider.