Good Health: Helping children with Halloween fears

Young children struggle to tell difference between reality, fantasy

DETROIT – Halloween is supposed to be scary fun, but for some children, the holiday is just plain scary.

Local 4's Dr. Frank McGeorge took a look at ways to help calm children's Halloween fears before the big night.

It's easy for adults to forget that all the ghosts, goblins and zombies seem very real to younger children. Experts suggest that parents try to ease children's fright before Halloween night.

"Toddlers in particular, or younger kids in general, have a harder time deciphering between reality and fantasy," Dr. Kristine Roth said.

Roth, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Henry Ford Hospital, said parents should not ignore their children's fears or brush them off.

"I think it's really important that you're talking to them about their fears, not minimizing their fears, and letting them know, you know, this is fake," Roth said.

Instead, try to explain how and why people celebrate the holiday.

"(Talk) to them about Halloween (as) a time when people find it fun to dress up as scary creatures," Roth said. "It's not real. Let them feel the costumes, or let them feel the decorations."

More realistic costumes are often the most frightening.

"Seeing a zombie or a mummy or a realistic skeleton, I mean, that takes me back sometimes," Roth said.

Younger children usually feel safer trick-or-treating before it gets dark. Roth said it's also important for parents to keep their expectations low.

"The less stressful you are as a parent, the more they are going to enjoy it, embrace it and have fun," Roth said.

If you have neighbors who like to jump out and scare trick-or-treaters, send an older child to the door first so the younger children don't get caught off guard, or skip the house altogether.

If your child feels more comfortable staying home and handing out candy, that's OK, too.

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About the Authors:

Dr. McGeorge can be seen on Local 4 News helping Metro Detroiters with health concerns when he isn't helping save lives in the emergency room at Henry Ford Hospital.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.