Are you afraid your toddler will be the actual monster this Halloween? A sugar high + social stimulation + that one crucial piece of their costume they refuse to wear?
It’s an incredibly exciting night and that tone can bring out nerves or other emotions - even some fears! How can we help our little ones (and ourselves!) to enjoy the occasion?
One of the pillars of the Montessori method is the importance of preparation. As the adult guiding the child, it is up to us to do the preparations ahead - and I do not simply mean buying the costume and candy. Rather thinking ahead to what our child will be experiencing, considering how it might appear to them and working with our children to prepare them ahead of time.
Your Checklist to Prepare your Child for Halloween:
New and unfamiliar things can seem like scary things - for adults too! Let’s reduce the unfamiliar for your child.
Tip #1 - Costume Comfort
Introduce the costume early
Let your child play with it before wearing
Do a "costume trial run" a few days before
Make adjustments for comfort
Tip #2 - Talk to them about what will happen
Show realistic photos of children trick-or-treating
Use simple language to describe what they will do with you & consider telling them in story form - narrative is powerful!
Keep the tone light and playful
Tip #3 - Making Plans for the Big Night
Ensure your child is well-rested and fed
Plan activities during your child's best time of day
Bring a stroller or sling so they can fall asleep if you have social plans for yourself
***If your child is under age 3, it might be too soon to go door to door for trick-or-treating! Even though you may be nostalgic for the event, there will be many more memorable times for your child in the future! Consider focusing on passing out candy from your own stoop this year! There’s a lot of fun to be had, and your little one can go to bed when needed.
Tip #4 - Lighten the Scary Stuff
Remember: Under 6, everything is "real", they are unable to discern “pretend” until their brain develops more.
Avoid lingering near scary decorations
Be ready to show that you are not afraid of any of it and they will follow your lead
A note about Candy...
When they are old enough to experience this tradition, Dentists now recommend not dragging out the consumption! While placing a limit of 1-2 pieces per day until Easter seems prudent, there is new research that suggests it's not directly the sugar, but what our mouths release to fight off the sugar that breaks down our teeth and causes cavities. What’s released lasts 30 min each time sugar hits the mouth…(side note: this is why sugary juice is just about the worst thing you could give children.) So for the sake of their teeth, let them dive in deep for a couple weeks and be done! It wouldn’t hurt for some candy to just magically disappear in the dead of night either…
You're all going to have a great night!
By thoughtfully preparing ahead, you and your child will be ready to celebrate Halloween with just the right amount of spooky.
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