cover of episode Why Do Things Seem Scary In The Dark?

Why Do Things Seem Scary In The Dark?

2020/12/18
logo of podcast But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Chapters

This chapter explores the psychological and physiological reasons why things seem scarier in the dark, discussing how the loss of visual cues can lead to heightened fear and how the brain fills in gaps with fearful thoughts.

Shownotes Transcript

Lots of people are afraid of the dark, including many kids who have shared that fear with us. In today's episode we explore the fear of the dark with Daniel Handler, better known as Lemony Snicket, the author of the Series of Unfortunate Events books, and a picture book for young kids called The Dark.

Download our learning guides: PDF) | Google Slide) | Transcript) | Coloring Page)

Then we go on a night hike with Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist Steve Parren, to talk about ways to embrace the darkness. We practice our night vision by not using flashlights and we think about how our other senses can help us navigate. Steve also answers questions about how animals see in the dark and why it sometimes look like animals' eyes are glowing back at us in the darkness.

This episode features coloring pages by Xiaochun Li. Download and print My Flashlight And Me), and Hiding Under The Covers). You can color as you listen!