Whyzard

Why do we dream?

When your child asks, here's how to answer — in their words, and in yours.

For your child

When you dream, your brain is like a busy storyteller, sorting through all the things you saw, heard, and felt during the day. It's practicing new ideas and sometimes even solving little problems while you're asleep, which is pretty cool!

Heads up

The answer simplifies the complex neurological processes of the brain during sleep and the different stages of sleep, particularly REM. The concept of 'memory consolidation' and 'emotional regulation' are too abstract for now but can be introduced later.

For you

Dreams are thought to be a product of various brain processes during sleep, particularly during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. While the exact purpose isn't fully understood, theories suggest dreams play roles in memory consolidation, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and processing daily experiences. It's a way for the brain to make sense of information and practice scenarios without real-world consequences.

They might ask next
  • Do animals dream too?
  • Why can't I always remember my dreams?
  • Can I choose what I dream about?
  • What happens if I don't dream?

Whyzard answers your child's own questions — out loud, in words they'll understand.

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