These are known as night terrors. This is very commn in kids and toddlers, and needs no treatment. Kids eventually grow out of them. According to the NIH, these are the symptoms: Night terrors are most common during the first third of the night, often between midnight and 2 a.m. Children often scream and are very frightened and confused. They thrash around violently and are often not aware of their surroundings. You may be unable to talk to, comfort, or fully awaken a child who is having a night terror. The child may be sweating, breathing very fast (hyperventilating), have a fast heart rate, and dilated pupils. The spell may last 10 – 20 minutes, then normal sleep returns. Most children are unable to explain what happened the next morning. There is often no memory of the event when they awaken the next day. I believe that some pediatricians suggest waking the child before the terrors occur so as to disrupt the sleep-wake cycle.