Within Reason Carleton Kendrick Ed. M., LCSW Getting Ready for Halloween Halloween can be an exciting, entertaining time for your children. But Halloween events may cause them to be unduly scared, even traumatized. By understanding what your youngsters can cope with, you'll be able to prevent them from being scared out of a good time.
Preschoolers are unable to clearly distinguish between reality and fantasy.
Even some children in the early elementary grades are still wrestling with this understanding. You may do your best to explain that ghouls and goblins are pretend , but the costumed monsters who appear at your door can seem very real. Frightening masks, costumes, and sounds can terrify children at this age, no matter how quickly the scary masks are removed to reveal friendly, familiar faces. Halloween should be used to make them more emotionally mature. Remember that your goal is to provide them with fun, not fear.