Feeling Scared at Night

In this lesson, a child wakes up in the middle of the night feeling scared. Mom comforts them, talks about fears, and teaches ways to feel safe and calm before going back to sleep.

Kid: Mom… Mom… (whispers)
Mom: Hmm? What’s wrong, sweetie?
Kid: I’m scared… I had a bad dream.
Mom: Oh, come here. (hugs) It’s just a dream, honey. You’re safe.
Kid: But it felt so real! There was a big monster under my bed!
Mom: I see. Let’s check together. (looks under the bed) Nope, no monster! Just some socks hiding from laundry day.
Kid: (giggles) But what if the monster comes back?
Mom: Hmm, let’s try something magical. Take a deep breath… (inhales, exhales) Now imagine a big, strong superhero standing beside you. What’s their name?
Kid: Um… Captain Brave!
Mom: Perfect! Captain Brave will protect you. And remember, your bed is like a castle—monsters can’t come in!

Kid: But I keep thinking about the scary face…
Mom: I know, sweetheart. Sometimes our minds play tricks on us. But guess what? You have the power to change the story.
Kid: I do?
Mom: Yes! Instead of a scary monster, let’s make it funny. Imagine the monster is wearing a tutu and dancing ballet!
Kid: (laughs) That’s so silly!
Mom: See? Now it’s not scary anymore!

Kid: But what if I have another bad dream?
Mom: If you do, just close your eyes and think of happy things—like the fun we had at the park today!
Kid: That was fun! And we ate ice cream!
Mom: Exactly! Happy thoughts chase away bad dreams.

Kid: Can you stay with me for a little bit?
Mom: Of course, love. I’ll stay until you fall asleep. Let’s count some stars on the ceiling. One… two…
Kid: Three… four… (yawns)
Mom: That’s right… Close your eyes, snuggle your teddy, and sleep tight.
Kid: (sleepily) Mom?
Mom: Yes, sweetie?
Kid: I love you.
Mom: I love you too, always. Sweet dreams, my brave little one

Vocabulary List

Monster [ˈmɒnstər] (noun) – A scary creature (often imaginary).
Example: “In the story, the monster lived under the bed.”

Dream [driːm] (noun) – A story or picture in your mind while sleeping.
Example: “She had a dream about flying through the sky.”

Castle [ˈkæsəl] (noun) – A large, strong building where kings and queens live.
Example: “The castle was surrounded by a big, deep moat.”

Snuggle [ˈsnʌɡl] (verb) – To hug or cuddle closely.
Example: “After the story, we snuggled on the couch together.”

Tutu [ˈtuːtuː] (noun) – A fluffy skirt worn in ballet.
Example: “She wore a pink tutu for her first ballet class.”

Grammar Tips:

  • Use “What if…” to talk about worries.
    Example: “What if I have another bad dream?”
  • Use “Let’s…” to suggest an idea.
    Example: “Let’s check together.”
  • Use “Instead of…” to replace one idea with another.
    Example: “Instead of a scary monster, imagine it dancing ballet!”

FILL IN THE BLANK

Fill in the Missing Words

Kid: Mom… Mom… (whispers)
Mom: Hmm? What’s wrong, sweetie?
Kid: I’m … I had a bad dream.
Mom: Oh, come here. (hugs) It’s just a , honey. You’re safe.
Kid: But it felt so real! There was a big under my bed!
Mom: I see. Let’s check together. (looks under the bed) Nope, no monster! Just some hiding from laundry day.
Kid: (giggles) But what if the monster comes back?
Mom: Hmm, let’s try something magical. Take a deep … (inhales, exhales) Now imagine a big, strong standing beside you. What’s their name?
Kid: Um… Captain Brave!
Mom: Perfect! Captain Brave will protect you. And remember, your bed is like a —monsters can’t come in!
Kid: But I keep thinking about the scary
Mom: I know, sweetheart. Sometimes our minds play tricks on us. But guess what? You have the power to change the .
Kid: I do?
Mom: Yes! Instead of a scary monster, let’s make it funny. Imagine the monster is wearing a and dancing ballet!
Kid: (laughs) That’s so silly!
Mom: See? Now it’s not scary anymore!
Kid: But what if I have another bad ?
Mom: If you do, just close your and think of happy things—like the fun we had at the park today!
Kid: That was fun! And we ate !
Mom: Exactly! Happy thoughts chase away bad dreams.
Kid: Can you stay with me for a little bit?
Mom: Of course, love. I’ll stay until you fall . Let’s count some on the ceiling. One… two…
Kid: Three… four… (yawns)
Mom: That’s right… Close your eyes, snuggle your teddy, and sleep tight.
Kid: (sleepily) Mom?
Mom: Yes, sweetie?
Kid: I you.
Mom: I love you too, always. Sweet dreams, my brave little one.

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