Preschool Book Review – There's a Nightmare in My Closet

This classic picture book is a perfect way to help your little one process fears and discover that brave hearts come in small packages. By exploring the story together through conversation and creative play, you'll open the door to meaningful discussions about nighttime worries.

What You'll Need

• A copy of *There's a Nightmare in My Closet* by Mercer Mayer
• A cozy reading spot (bed, rug, or cushion)
• Paper and crayons or markers
• A pillow or stuffed animal
• Optional: a nightlight or lamp for ambiance

How to Do It

1. Pick the right time. Read the book during daylight hours when your child is calm and alert, so they can enjoy it without feeling scared. Bedtime might not be the ideal moment for a first reading.

2. Read aloud with expression. Use different voices for the boy and the nightmare character, and let your tone match the mood of each page. Pause to let your child look at the illustrations and ask questions.

3. Chat about the story. After finishing, ask open-ended questions like, "What do you think made the nightmare so sad?" and "How was the boy brave?" Listen without judgment to their thoughts.

4. Create your own monster. Let your child draw or paint what their own "nightmare" might look like. Sometimes putting fears on paper makes them feel smaller and less powerful.

5. Act it out together. Use stuffed animals or pillows to recreate scenes from the book. Let your child be the brave character and you be the scared creature—this role reversal builds confidence.

6. Make a "brave box." Decorate a small box and fill it with things that make your child feel safe: a favorite photo, a drawing they made, or a note saying they're brave.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

Emotional Awareness — Learning to name and talk about feelings like fear, loneliness, and courage helps children understand their inner world better.

Problem-Solving — Watching the boy handle his nightmare with kindness instead of running away teaches alternative ways to face challenges.

Empathy — Realizing that even scary things can feel sad or lonely encourages children to think about others' feelings.

Imaginative Thinking — Discussing and creating their own versions of the story strengthens creative and critical thinking skills.

Confidence Building — Seeing a small character overcome big fears inspires your child to believe in their own strength.

Tips & Variations

• For younger preschoolers: Focus on the illustrations and simple emotions rather than diving into complex discussions about fear.
• For older preschoolers: Ask them to predict what happens next or create a sequel to the story.
• Revisit as needed: Some children benefit from reading the same book multiple times, especially when processing big emotions.

My Two Cents

This book has helped countless families transform nighttime anxiety into opportunities for connection and growth. There's something magical about watching your child realize they're braver than they thought—and that monsters might just need a friend too.

Questions to Ask Your Child

Use these open-ended prompts to extend the learning during or after the activity:

• "What was the most interesting thing you learned today?"
• "Can you explain this to a stuffed animal as if they've never heard of it?"
• "What part do you want to practice more?"
• "How is this connected to something you already know?"
• "What would you want to learn more about?"
• "If you were the teacher, what would you tell the class about this?"

There are no right or wrong answers to any of these questions. The goal is to keep the conversation going, model curious thinking, and give your child practice putting their experience into words.

Making It a Learning Moment

Learning happens best when children feel safe enough to be wrong. Create a low-stakes environment where mistakes are celebrated as information ("Oh, that didn't work — now we know something new!") rather than failures. Research on early childhood development consistently shows that the single strongest predictor of academic success in elementary school is not early reading or math skills — it's executive function: the ability to focus, plan, and manage emotions. Almost every learning activity for preschoolers builds executive function when approached with patience and gentle challenge.

Adapting for Different Ages

Ages 2–3: Keep it simple. Use fewer materials, shorter sessions (10–15 minutes), and more adult scaffolding. The goal is exploration and enjoyment, not mastery.

Ages 4–5: Add complexity and choice. Let the child make more decisions, introduce mild challenge, and encourage them to evaluate what worked and what they'd change next time.

Mixed ages: Pair older and younger children intentionally. Older children build confidence and reinforce their own learning by helping; younger children get engagement and language modeling from a near-peer.