Summary: It is almost time for Halloween in the United States. Every year on October 31, we celebrate the holiday with costumes, candy, and trick or treating. Many adults, teenagers, and children enjoy dressing up and participating in community and family events like parties, haunted houses, and going door to door saying “trick or treat.” But for younger children, this holiday can be confusing and scary. Developmentally young children cannot always make the distinction between real and pretend. After all, they live in a world of princess, super heroes, and animals that talk so the line between imaginary and real can be fluid. On Halloween, children will see and maybe even be dressed themselves in realistic monster or other frightening costumes that can be terrifying and upsetting. Add to that, that on Halloween we suspend the normal rules and go out after dark, knock on stranger’s doors, and take candy from people we may not know. No wondering it is a confusing time for young children. In this episode we talk about helping your young child understand Halloween and how you can be a mindful and supportive parent.
