Nighttime fears and nightmares are extremely common in children, especially during the preschool years, but they can occur in older children and adolescents as well. They are part of normal development, as children’s imaginations develop, and children begin to understand that there are things that exist that can hurt them.   There are times that fears and nightmares are the result of a frightening experience, from being scared by a large dog to being bullied at daycare, but other times they seem to come out of the blue. Family conflict and parental anxiety can also play a role. Anything that makes a child more emotionally aroused is going to make his fears worse and make him feel more anxious.   Children also typically have different fears at different developmental stages. Young children are often afraid of monsters and other imaginary creatures, whereas older children are more likely to fear being hurt by more realistic dangers.   Some children learn that saying they are afraid is an effective stalling tactic or a way to avoid bedtime. On the other hand, some children and adolescents with sleep issues really have an anxiety disorder; these are generally children who also worry a lot during the day or have things that they are anxious about or avoid.   There is no tried and try treatment for routine nightmares. Since they are often triggered in children who are overtired, sticking to a good bedtime routine, and making sure your child is getting enough sleep might help to prevent them. Did your child just give up his nap? Is she going to bed later or waking up earlier? Are you on a trip and out of your child's usual sleep routine?   Experts only agree on pragmatic activities to help with this problem. The DreamBowl is designed to help your child think positive thoughts as part of his or her bed routine.   The DreamBowl was developed by a Grandpa to help his Grandson sleep better at night. It was a labor of love that has been effective and enriching the bedtime process.