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Understanding their dreams and nightmares

The 'Dream Doctor', Dr Pam Spurr, helps you understand your child's dreams and nightmares through creative parenting

Her new book, Your Child's Dreams - A Parent-Child Workbook, is available to buy now.

When my children were young I discovered I could learn so much about how they were feeling, and their developmental stage, by asking them about their dreams - and their nightmares.

I developed this into a creative parenting technique where their dreams formed the basis for many things, from art projects to outings.

It also strengthened our bond when they were young because I was focusing on something that came from within them rather than always being concerned that they had 'done well at school that day' and what their mark was in a particular subject. I think parents get too hung up on those things!

When you listen to your child describe their dream or nightmare it makes them feel special -because only they have dreamt their dream - and it improves communication between you. You can do this in a relaxed fashion over breakfast, or if you're rushed, later in the day.

Your child's sleeping mind

Think of your child's sleeping mind as being free from the constrictions they might feel and to express themselves when they are awake. Their sleeping mind chatters to you, not through words but through their dream images.

This is exciting, and important, because their sleeping mind becomes a playground for their subconscious feelings and thoughts. These are freely expressed during sleep because the limbic system - part of the brain involved in processing emotions - goes into freefall.

During the dreaming stage of sleep this throws up all sorts of dream images and dreams coming straight from the heart of your child's emotions.

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