What Level of Frightening is Appropriate for Children During Halloween?
As October arrives, the spooky and scary decorations, costumes, TV shows, and online tours, including those of Halloween stores, become a common sight. This can be an exciting time for many families, but for young children, it might require extra caution from parents.
Dr. Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, offers some advice for parents on how to help their children navigate the Halloween season.
Before school age, parents should be mindful of what their children see around Halloween. Dr. Vyas recommends teaching older siblings the rules about what their younger sibling can watch with them on TV. She advises parents to tailor TV content to the age of the youngest child watching.
By the time children reach school age, they typically understand the difference between fiction and reality. However, every child is unique, and Dr. Vyas emphasizes that parents know their own child better than anyone. She suggests allowing children to grow and overcome their fears at their own pace.
In the local big-box store, a Halloween section exists that features life-size climbing zombies, witches with red gleaming eyes, and skeleton dogs. While these might be thrilling for older children, they could be overwhelming for younger ones. Dr. Vyas advises parents to be aware of their child's fears and to consider diverting their attention to the toy aisle if necessary.
For preteens or teens who feel pressure from friends to attend haunted houses but aren't interested, Dr. Vyas advises having a plan to support them if they need an out. Having a code word can help a scared child communicate the need to leave a haunted house. Parents may also want to have an excuse ready to pick up a child early from a haunted house if necessary.
Allowing young children to see parents putting on a not-too-scary costume can help them understand that a mask is just a mask. This can help alleviate any fears they might have about costumes.
Scary images can be very disturbing for young children who have recently experienced a death in the family or the death of a pet. Dr. Vyas advises parents to be sensitive to their child's emotional state and to consider limiting their exposure to scary images during this time.
In conclusion, with a little bit of planning and understanding, parents can help their children enjoy the Halloween season while ensuring they feel safe and secure. As always, parents should trust their instincts and be aware of their child's unique needs and fears.
