As therapists, we often hear children speak about monsters hiding under beds, in cupboards, or following them around.
But here’s the beautiful truth:
Monsters are simply the language children use when they don’t yet have the words for big feelings.
A “monster” might be:
A worry they can’t explain
A change that feels too big
A moment they felt scared or alone
A memory their body hasn’t forgotten yet
Through play, storytelling, and imagination, children can safely explore these hidden fears.
And with a calm, curious adult beside them, that scary monster becomes a character they can understand, tame, or even befriend.
In the therapy room, I often see the magic happen:
A child draws a monster… and then gives it a name.
Builds it a house.
Changes its colour.
Makes it small enough to fit in their pocket.
That’s healing.
It’s a child discovering, “I’m safe. I’m in control.”
It’s learning to turn fear into something familiar, manageable, and sometimes even funny.
So, if your child talks about monsters, try leaning in with gentle curiosity:
“What does your monster look like?”
“What does it need?”
“Can we draw it together?”
You might just find that behind every monster is a feeling waiting to be understood.
