Halloween, with its mix of fun and fright, is often a favorite holiday for children. However, for younger children, the spooky nature of the holiday can sometimes be overwhelming. That said, introducing children to small doses of scary stuff can be beneficial. Fears are a universal part of daily life, and the earlier children learn to manage them, the less anxiety they’ll have down the road.
With careful planning and sensitivity, Halloween can become a fun-filled event that promotes curiosity and builds essential emotional skills. Dr. Kyle Pruett, clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and member of The Goddard School’s Educational Advisory Board, shares the following guidance to manage a child’s fears in a playful way during Halloween.
Small Steps Towards the Spooky
Parents can start by framing Halloween as an annual family event filled with age-appropriate activities that foster excitement and wonder. Baking simple themed treats like pumpkin-shaped cookies or decorating the house with fall-inspired items can engage young minds without pushing them out of their comfort zone. Inviting children to be part of the planning gives them a sense of control and anticipation, helping to reduce the fear factor.
Choosing the Right Costumes
Costumes are a cornerstone of Halloween fun, but they can also be a source of stress for young children. When selecting a costume, prioritize comfort, safety, and familiarity. For toddlers and preschoolers, costumes should feel familiar rather than strange—favoring soft textures, recognizable characters, and outfits that don’t obscure vision or restrict movement. Simple face painting or costumes that leave the face visible often work best for this age group.
For a manageable dose of the slightly scary, consider trying a playful version of peek-a-boo to demonstrate that dressing up doesn’t change who you are. Show them that the person behind a mask is still the same—this can help alleviate concerns for preschoolers who engage in magical thinking.
Navigating Trick-or-Treating
To keep the experience positive, go out early when it’s still light and choose familiar, well-known neighborhoods. Younger children may feel more comfortable going to the homes of friends or family members rather than knocking on stranger’s doors.
As you walk through the neighborhood, observe your child’s reactions. Are they becoming more confident as the evening progresses, or are they growing quieter and more apprehensive? If signs of discomfort appear, it’s okay to call it a night early and focus on enjoying the treats gathered. Allowing children to dictate the pace and their own comfort level empowers them to manage their fears in a supportive environment.
Managing the Unexpected
Despite careful planning, unexpected frights can happen. A sudden encounter with realistic decoration or a “trick” from an older sibling can unsettle a young child. If your child does get frightened, remind them that it’s okay to be scared. Help them understand that Halloween is about playing pretend and that behind every mask or decoration is a friendly face or inanimate object. By giving children the space to process their fears and demonstrating that fear is normal, parents can create an environment where children learn to handle mild discomfort with confidence.
Building Confidence Despite Halloween Scaries Through Family Traditions
As children grow, their comfort with Halloween will likely increase. By starting with age-appropriate activities and gently building up to more complex experiences, parents can foster a sense of tradition and excitement. Each year, children will look forward to new adventures and challenges, building on the foundation of trust and comfort established in their early years.
Ultimately, Halloween is about enjoying time together as a family. Whether it’s through decorating, costume creation, or neighborhood walks, the goal is to nurture curiosity and resilience in a supportive environment. Encouraging children to face their fears—however small—can have a significant impact on their emotional growth.
So, embrace the holiday’s spookiness, but remember to do so in a way that aligns with your child’s unique personality. Whether they’re eager to don a scary costume or prefer something simple and familiar, the focus should always be on creating an experience that they’ll remember fondly, year after year.
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For 36 years, The Goddard School has nurtured the extraordinary in every child, providing a warm, caring and safe environment that supports their individual social, emotional and academic development, appreciates their unique talents and personalities, and fosters skills they need for long-term success in school and in life.
The Goddard School’s exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning™, embraces how children learn best—through their innate curiosity—because research confirms that when wonder leads, learning follows. Wonder of Learning is backed by expert knowledge, data-driven insight and unwavering compassion for growing minds, encouraging children to explore their curiosities and interests as they discover the joy—and wonder—of learning.
The Goddard School serves almost 100,000 students from six weeks to six years old in 37 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com.
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