Halloween brings up many emotions for young children. It can be fun, creative, and silly, but it can also be scary for some. Children often exhibit more fears during early childhood as their development in memory, expectations, and imagination increases.
As adults, we can gradually help children manage their emotional reactions to a variety of stimuli. It could be talking or drawing about what they’re afraid of, walking them through what to expect in an upcoming situation, acting out a situation using puppets, or reading books about their fear. It’s tempting to remove stressors from their lives, but in actuality, small bits of stress, with support and guidance, add coping strategies to their repertoire and aid the development of emotional regulation.
For tips on how to handle Halloween and how to soothe your child’s fears, even after toddlerhood, please read here.