Halloween is supposed to be a fun holiday, though it can trigger fear and anxiety responses in children who are too young to understand fiction vs. reality and/or are struggling with anxiety or other behavioral and mood related concerns. It is important that parents identify early signs of discomfort so that they can assist children through this holiday. Some signs include: excessive worry, fear of masks or costumes, not wanting to attend events, having difficultly with sleep routines or experiencing nightmares, trouble with daily functioning, etc.
Below are some concrete tips and tools for parents to practice:
It is important to remember that children under 6-7 years experience “magical thinking”, which means they may not be able to tell the difference between what is real and what is pretend. So, focus on fun (candy, games, etc.) instead of the scary parts of Halloween (scary costumes, monster cupcakes, masks, etc.)
Practice a breathing strategy, like belly breathing, with your child when you notice that they are becoming upset or feeling anxious.
Name their behaviors and emotions (“I see that you are breathing heavily, are you feeling nervous?”) and remind them that they are safe (Mommy and Daddy are right here – you are safe here with us.)
Seek professional help if the anxiety in unmanageable or impacting your child’s functioning.
For more tips or a free consultation on your child’s behavioral health concerns, contact Dr. Nirmeen Rajani or Dr. Zeeshan Rajani, Licensed Clinical Psychologists at Psychology Center Schaumburg, LTD.
DrNirmeen@PsychologyCenterSchaumburg.com
Call: 847-786-8222 for a free consult or for an intake.
