Helping children to deal with fear & Halloween

Many children eagerly anticipate as it can be a very exciting time exploring magic and mystery, however, for some children it can be a very scary experience.

Below are some ideas on how to help children manage any anxieties they may experience around Halloween;

• Make time to talk with your child about feeling “scared”, what this means to him/her and how they can deal with these feelings

• To dispel fears about loud noises discuss common creepy sounds with your child and be sure to explain to them what is really causing those noises

• Draw pictures of monsters, ghosts, goblins and witches with them and then discuss what is real and what is make believe

• In the week leading up to Halloween play dress up games with your children – this will help desensitise them to seeing people in costumes

As a parent you may have concerns about the practice of trick-or-treating due to things like road safety and bullying. However, the following safety advice can ensure that it is a safe and fun experince for everyone involved:

• Trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult

• Stick to well-lit familiar streets and housing estates

• Carry a torch and ID

• Where possible restrict visits to family and friends

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