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Boo!
Monday, October 31, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
It's Halloween; how I can I NOT write about it?!
We're pretty psyched in my house. The pumpkins are carved (though I think the adults enjoyed that experience more than the kiddo!), the costume has been picked (Alice as in "Alice in Wonderland"), and we're looking forward to meeting up with our neighborhood buddies for some trick or treat fun this evening.
Though there's much fun (and sugar!) to be had, BEWARE!
Not all Halloween fun is fun for your little one. It's also not all good for their development.
First of all, there's the sugar. We all get that too much sugar isn't good. That's a pretty easy thing we can control as parents (or at least, attempt to control!).
Scarier than sugar, it's the SCARY adventures you may encounter today that may be a bit out of your control. Specificially, if you are headed out into your neighborhood or to friends for a Halloween bash.
Ghosts, goblins, zombies, and witches may be fun for us, but - quite frankly - they are not appropriate for your infant, toddler, or preschooler.
Why?
It's pretty straightforward really.
Young children are concrete learners.
Seeing IS believing.
Little ones do NOT understand it is only for pretend, not real, etc. To them, masks and make-up are real.
Worse yet, kiddos often can't process what or why these creatures are there and many times can't find the words to express their concern or fear.
What to do?
No, you don't have to lock yourself away for the night.
- DO get out there and have some fun.
- With a little one in tow, just be thoughtful about the places you go and with whom you interact.
- Bypass the scariest houses in the neighborhood.
- When you do encounter a fright, reassure your child that it is a person in costume and only for pretend.
- If your child does become upset, don't dismiss their feelings. Reassure and comfort them. (If nothing else, grab for a piece of candy - lol!).
- And...Have a Happy Halloween!
