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Nightmares — like most dreams — occur during the stage of sleep when the brain is very active and sorting through experiences and new information for learning and memory. The vivid images the brain is processing can seem as real as the emotions they might trigger. This part of sleep is known as the rapid eye movement or REM stage because the eyes are rapidly moving beneath closed eyelids. Nightmares tend to happen during the second half of a night's sleep, when REM intervals are longer. When kids awaken from a nightmare, its images are still fresh and can seem real. So it's natural for them to feel afraid and upset and to call out to a parent for comfort. By about preschool age, kids begin to understand that a nightmare is only a dream — and that what's happening isn't real and can't hurt them. But knowing that doesn't prevent them from feeling scared. Even older kids feel frightened when they awaken from a nightmare and may need your reassurance and comfort.

Everybody dreams every night. But you don't always remember your dreams. People dream during the stage of sleep called Rapid Eye Movement or R.E.M. You spend about two and a half hours dreaming. Most of your dreaming sleep happens between 4:00 and 7:00 in the morning.  Scientists are not sure why we dream or what we dream. They do know that R.E.M. sleep is important for learning and memory. TV shows, video and computer games, real people, and actual events can show up in your dreams. Your dreams may be related to how you feel, your worries, your hopes, or things you are excited about.