4/5 year old suddenly terrified

[Flopsy145]

My daughter, 5 in April, was always such a good sleeper, she would put herself to bed no issue and sleep through. Up until a about 2 months ago, she became fearful of the dark, wakes up every night and comes into my bed (albeit so silently I rarely wake up so can't put her back to bed), won't be downstairs/upstairs on her own.

I realise it's probably a phase but how do I help her move through it?

The main drivers to this have been her and friend created an imaginary monster they're now both terrified of and regularly talk about. There are also two boys in school being unkind to her (and everyone else).

I've tried telling her monsters aren't real etc, just want her to feel her brave self again

My god daughter went through this stage. What worked for her was her dad putting a 'camera' in her room and telling her he could always see that she was safe. He made a point of 'switching it on' every night and off again in the morning. It was an old one and wasn't even working but it really reassured her and she got her confidence back.

Not good about the boys at school though. I hope that's stopped soon.

Thank you! We have a camera in there that you've just reminded me about, so I might show her that I can see her etc.

Yeah they're being very unkind, teachers are "aware and monitoring" but lots hitting kicking fighting saying unkind things. I worried that it was making her feel anxious about things in general although they've done anything directly to her for a week or 2, but I didn't want to ask her and verbally make the connection as even if it wasn't the case, she's the type that may say it is and really clingy on to blaming that.

I hope that helps. It's such 00a shame her peace has been disturbed.
I can see why you wouldn't want to link the two things. I'd have done the same.