If you have ever experienced a night terror in a child you will understand what I’m talking about. They are scary! My child had these often. He would wake up in the middle of the night eyes wide open, moaning and crying. I had never experienced anything like this in my life! I didn’t know what to do. Rubbing his back, talking calmly or trying to wake him up didn’t work. Nothing seemed to reach him.
At this time, he was 6 years old and in 1st grade and very mathematical! He knew all his multiplication facts and could add big numbers in his head. His ability amazed me!
This ability is what would bring him out of his night terror. I have no idea what made me think of doing this but I would start asking him multiplication facts. He would answer and this somehow snapped him out of it. Consoling and calming him down would then work. Keep trying different things. Eventually you’ll figure out a way to reach your child!