What Causes Children to Dream and What We Can Do to Help

Recently, my 7 year old daughter has been dreaming nightly. These dreams aren't nightmares, just wild stories, some even very happy. As a parent, I worry a little about her over-active dream activity. Strangely, this dreaming child is a fraternal twin and her twin reports no dreams at all. With the twins having such similar daily experiences, what could cause this? Part of me wants to analyze her dreams but another part worries that all this night-time brain activity is a sign of trouble.

Did you know, despite hundreds of dream studies, there is no consensus on why people (including children) dream - though it has fascinated many philosophers and scientists through the ages. Let's take a look at the two primary schools of thought on why dreams occur and what the Bible has to say. Then, let's look at two solid things we can do to help our kids.

First, it is has been proven that brain activity peaks during REM sleep. REM sleep follows our deepest sleep; the heart beats faster, blood pressure rises and breathing gets less regular and this is when dreams occur. In comes the sciences: Physiology and Psychology.

Dream Explanation 1: Physiological
(Physiology: branch of biology dealing with function and activity of living organisms)

The Physiological school of thought says the pathways between brain cells pick up where the active (awake) brain leaves off. Though not necessarily convinced that dreams have a deeper meaning, this theory shows high brain activity in sleep and has proven the brain (specifically some parts of the brain) continue to work while we sleep.

I am comforted by this explanation. My daughters brain is working as it should, still processing into the night, during REM sleep. The fact that she is getting to the REM state of sleep indicates she is getting enough sleep, experiencing all the stages: her dreaming is proof. As for the other twin who reports no dreams...maybe she just doesn't remember her dreams, isn't communicating them or not experiencing the same solid sleep patterns. Or maybe the non-dreamer has less to work through. That is what a physchologist might say...

Dream Explanation 2: Psychological
(Psychology: Science of the mind or mental process)

The psychological school of thought focuses on thoughts and emotions and suggests that our brain attempts to solve immediate concerns during REM sleep. This assumes dreams are related to our daily experiences. Some studies even show that dreams are critical to our mental, emotional and physical well-being. According to Ernest Hoffman, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Boston, Mass., "...a possible (though certainly not proven) function of a dream to be weaving new material into the memory system in a way that both reduces emotional arousal and is adaptive in helping us cope with further trauma or stressful events."

The good news here is that our dreaming child's brains are A. Working B. Helping them. The downside is that perhaps something is troubling the child. However, I think we must consider children individually. My dreaming twin is my over-active thinker. She thinks and rethinks everything while awake. Perhaps it is simply her brains function, awake AND asleep to figure without ceasing, not necessarily anything troubling.

Biblical
Many cultures throughout time believe that dreams are prophetic in nature. And there are many instances of dream interpretation in the Bible - a resource thousands of years old, where prophecy is theme. However, outside of prophecy, one scripture found suggests why dreams occur, It is found in the book of Ecclesiastes (believed to be written by King Solomon.) "Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool. - Ecclesiastes, 5:3 New Living Translation. Other translations are: "As a dream comes when there are many cares..." (NIV) and "For a dream cometh through a multitude of business..." (KJV)

This makes clear sense to me, because I tend to dream when I have a lot going on, why would it not apply to kids? Redeeming, this is the most controllable. I cannot stop REM sleep (without sleep deprivation) and I cannot control my mind -or my childs - from working while asleep (whether it is figuring anything out or not.) But I can control the activity level, or attempt to control the "many cares" my child has. I can also aid her in reducing her "cares" through careful and clear explanations, by teaching her ways to peace (spiritual, charity, etc) and by reducing what potentially could create concerns for her (TV, music choices, social issues etc.)

In summary, as parents, can we help our kids stop dreaming? No way, in fact it is a good sign of REM sleep and if anything is helping them, according to both physio and psychological schools of thought. However, dreaming every night may be a red flag that we can (and probably should) respond to. We should strive to simplify their cares through less activity and ensuring they can process the situations they encounter; mentally, physically and emotionally.

http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/dreams.asp
http://psychology.about.com/od/statesofconsciousness/p/dream-theories.htm
http://psychology.about.com/od/statesofconsciousness/p/dream-theories.htm
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.ehow.com/about_5421562_rem-sleep-children.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask
http://dictionary.reference.com/