Why am I scared of the dark?

Dark hides toys and corners, so you feel scared. Your eyes see less. Small sounds seem bigger. A light can help.

You may feel scared of the dark because your eyes cannot see the room well. When you cannot see your chair, door, or toys, your mind may guess what is there. It is like hearing a loud bump before seeing who made it. Once you turn on a light, the room looks friendly again.

You may feel scared of the dark because your brain is trying to keep you safe. In the dark, your eyes see less, so your brain has to guess what is around you. A coat can look like a person, or a small sound can seem big. A part of your brain called the amygdala, your danger alarm, can turn on fast. That can make your heart beat hard. Fun fact: your eyes need about 20 minutes to get their best night vision.