Fear of the dark is most common for children of about what age?

Fear of the dark is most commonly observed in children around the age of 5 years old. This is a developmental stage where children's imaginations are becoming more vivid, and they start to develop a better understanding of the world around them. At this age, many children have not yet mastered distinguishing between fantasy and reality, making them more susceptible to fears related to darkness.

Around this age, children begin to experience a range of anxiety responses, including fear of the dark, which can stem from various sources such as exposure to frightening stories, movies, or even shadowy figures. These fears can also be a part of natural cognitive and emotional development, where children's brains are beginning to process abstract concepts and potential dangers.

As they approach the ages of 6 and 8, many children gradually outgrow these specific fears as they gain more coping strategies and cognitive maturity, allowing them to better understand that the dark does not pose a realistic threat. Thus, the peak of fear of the dark tends to align with the experiences of a 5-year-old child.