Sleepwalking Six-Year-Old
Dear Readers,
Brenda posted a question on the discussion forum for this column asking for help with her 6-year-old son. She is worried about his tendency to sleepwalk during the night and settle in different places throughout the house.
Brenda, while it is certainly reasonable to be concerned about your son’s sleepwalking, rest assured that the vast majority of children who experience sleepwalking simply outgrow it within a few years, especially if they are under the age of 10 when the sleepwalking begins. Sleepwalking is generally not indicative of any major trauma or emotional disturbance. Boys are more likely to sleepwalk than girls, and sleepwalking tends to run in families.
Here are some things that you can do to help a child who experiences sleepwalking:
Here are some things that you can do to help a child who experiences sleepwalking:
- Make sure to stick to a schedule that includes a bedtime and wake-up time at approximately the same times every day. Begin a bedtime ritual that includes helping your child relax by telling him a story or playing soft music. Consider moving bedtime up 20-30 minutes earlier, as sleepwalking can sometimes be triggered by sleep deprivation.
- The bedtime ritual should include a trip to the bathroom immediately before bed to prevent the need to urinate from serving as a trigger to sleepwalking. If you notice that he usually sleepwalks during the same time of night, you may want to try waking him about 10-15 minutes before that time to use the bathroom. Most children tend to sleepwalk within an hour or two of going to bed, so this technique should not interfere with your own sleep.
- Keep your child safe by removing anything from his bedroom and hallway that could be dangerous for him to encounter during the night, such as breakable or sharp objects, or objects on the floor that he may trip over. You may want to consider moving his bedroom to the bottom floor of the house, so falling down stairs is not an issue. If stairs are a problem, put up gates during the night. Locks on doors and windows that are child-proof or too high for him to reach can also help ensure his safety.
- If you find your child sleepwalking, gently steer him back to his bed. Do not try to wake him up. Do not yell or startle him.
- The majority of children who sleepwalk do not have emotional problems. However, any disruption in sleep patterns may be the result of stress or anxiety. Examine your child’s life (as well as your own) for recent changes or sources of stress, and figure out ways to make your child feel more secure. Sticking to a daily routine is the first step in this process, as young children need predictability in order to feel safe.
- If your child’s sleepwalking continues to worry you, talk to your doctor. Keep a record of when your child sleepwalks, as well as any significant events that happened during the previous day.
- Children may feel embarrassed and anxious about sleepwalking. Make sure that you react calmly to sleepwalking episodes. Tell your child that it is no big deal, and that he will probably outgrow it. If you or his father experienced sleepwalking, make sure to share your own stories so he does not feel that there is anything wrong with him.
Lisa Medoff, Ph.D holds a B.A. in psychology, a master's degree in school counseling, and a Ph.D. in child and adolescent development. Although she’s worked with all types of children, for the past eight years, she has worked with students with special needs, such as ADHD, learning disabilities, depression and anxiety. She has taught courses in psychology and child/adolescent development at Stanford University, Santa Clara University, San Jose State University, and DeAnza College. She currently works as a resilience consultant for the non-profit Cleo Eulau Center, helping teachers at a low-performing elementary school understand issues of connectedness, special needs, and cultural sensitivity in order to build resilience in their students.
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Other readers' comments on this article:
Posted by Helen childs on Dec 11, 2007 1:39 pm
Posted by dwight Eisenhower on Apr 2, 2009 9:43 am
The best place to get your questions answered by other parents, teachers and experts on Education.com is our new tool, JustAsk, which you can access here:
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Thank you!
Posted by Denise Graab on Apr 3, 2009 1:27 pm
Posted by Momma bear on Sep 7, 2010 10:30 pm
Posted by Maria K on Sep 15, 2010 7:44 pm
I'm sorry to hear that your child is having trouble with sleepwalking!
I've added your question to JustAsk, our Community Q&A forum. It's a great place to get your questions answered by doctors, educational experts, and dedicated members.
Here's the link to the question: http://www.education.com/question/4-year-sleepwalking-peeing-house/
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Posted by Anonymous on Sep 21, 2010 6:23 pm