Why do we dream?
Talk about it together
What kind of dream picture would you like to see tonight?
What about...?
Ask your child's own question
Transcript
Why do we dream when we are asleep? Let's wonder together!
When you sleep, your body rests in bed. But your brain keeps busy all night.
Your brain sorts things you saw and did that day. It also makes up new pictures and stories.
Sometimes you notice those brain pictures as dreams. We do not know yet why every dream happens.
So that's why dreams can feel like little stories at night. Your brain is still working while you rest.
For grown-ups: the science
Dreams are pictures and stories your brain makes while you sleep.
Dreaming occurs most vividly during REM sleep, though dreams can happen in other sleep stages too. Sleep supports memory processing, learning, and emotion regulation, but scientists do not yet agree on one single purpose for all dreams.