Sleep and wake are two processes that are actively created and actively suppressed. Therefore, when we are awake, we are actively creating wake on one hand, while on the other hand, we are actively inhibiting sleep. This creates a very thin wall between the awake consciousness and the sleeping state leading to a higher chance of your child experiencing parasomnias. Trouble going to sleep and staying alseep are often considered parasomnias. However, parasomnias are more along the lines of sleepwalking, sleep talking, bad dreams, and night terrors. Many times your child will have no recollection of any parasomnia they might experience while they are asleep.
sleepwalkers can only walk well-known paths. It is highly unlikely that they will sleepwalk to somewhere unknown. The purpose of sleepwalking is not quite known. There are thoughts that sleepwalking is part of engraining a long-term memory. Sleepwalking occurs when there is a lack of total muscular paralysis.
Even if your child appears to be carrying on a conversation with you, they are not hearing you at all. Like sleepwalking, there will not be any recollection of any the "conversation" that is held during their sleep period.
Despite being often lumped together, bad dreams and night terrors are not the same things Bad dreams are unpleasant but you can often awaken a child that is experiencing a bad dream or they might even wake themselves up. However, when your child experiences a night terror, they are unable to respond to anything or wake up during the night terror. In fact, trying to comfort them or wake your child up will only make their night terror last longer. Therefore, while it takes a lot of restrain to not do everything possible to comfort your child, during a night terror it is best to leave them be.
Parasomnias do not just happen during childhood as they are constant and last throughout the course of life. They are more common during childhood due to rapid and continuous cognitive development. Most children experience parasomnias. People that do not report having parasomnias typically just have not been caught experiencing a parasomnia.