Is Halloween too scary for young children?

Halloween can be so much fun! It plays such a big part in the life of children.

I think it can be a fun holiday for children and adults, but it has the potential to put some very scary and permanent memories into your child's brain.
So, how do you keep it fun, yet protect your child from a situation that may keep them and you up for the next few weeks?

I think the key here is to look at every child individually. Is your child the type of person that frightens easily and is always very cautious in a new situation or do you notice that your little one is more of a little daredevil and pulling right along with all the other older kids?

In either case communication is the first step to keeping things fun. Find out how real this whole thing is to your child, because for small children there is a very thin line between imagination and reality.

If your child is already really frightened by the floating and glowing witch in the store...maybe don't put that kind of stuff right by your front door.

Some children, especially ones with older siblings don't always like to admit when they are scared. They don't want to seem like the baby in the bunch, so do watch your kids, as you know them best and if you get the feeling they are getting really uncomfortable just pull them out of the situation.

Make the whole "Halloween-Time" fun! Just like Christmas is not just one day Halloween should not only be about one spooky night. Carve some pumpkins, have your child help you make decorations and put them up together. As long as you are there through the process it will be a lot easier to catch anything that might be bugging them or even scaring them and you can redirect their attention to something more fun and silly, so that that becomes their theme for Halloween.

Here is an article by a child psychologist that gives some hints on how to keep it fun, yet protect your children.




Press Releases

SOME HALLOWEEN FUN MAY BE TOO SCARY FOR SMALL CHILDREN
Posted 10/5/2001

COLUMBUS, Ohio - For most children dressing up in scary costumes, visiting 'haunted' houses, and watching horror movies late at night are all a part of the fun, excitement and illusion of Halloween. While these activities are suitable for most older children, they can really frighten the younger ones, cautions a child psychologist.

Dr. Mary Fristad, child psychologist at OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine says, "For a four-year-old, it's hard to decipher what is fantasy and what is reality. Children in your neighborhood dressed up in scary ghost or goblin costumes can be very real and very frightening for a small child."

Fristad says one way to help small children avoid becoming upset and scared during Halloween is to take them to visit costume shops so they can see that these masks are nothing to fear. "Once they see that a person is actually wearing the costume, then children tend to become less frightened and Halloween can become fun."

In addition, parents can assist their children when they are picking out costumes, says Fristad. "Picking out a costume together helps both the parent and child feel like they are a part of the process and children area able to find a costume they feel comfortable in."

Fristad also says it's best to accompany small children while they are trick or treating. "If they do become too overwhelmed with the whole experience then they are able to go home and go to bed."

Researchers and clinicians at OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine serve the central Ohio community with behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults and older adults, including treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, family and marital conflict and resolution, and crisis services.


via:
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/mediaroom/press/article.cfm?ID=1119&i=96