Take the Scare out of Halloween
In the days leading up to Halloween, children are bombarded with social activities, books, films, and television shows about witches, ghosts and goblins. UAB child psychologist Vivian Friedman, Ph.D., suggests that when it comes to children, parents avoid an emphasis on scary stories. "Small children believe anything is possible because they don't have a scientific framework. Hearing scary stories opens them up to fears about monsters in the closet or of being in the dark. Parents should be clear in telling children that the stories aren't real to help them separate fantasy from reality. When buying Halloween costumes, skip the scary costumes and choose role-playing costumes, where children can dress up like cowboys or ballerinas."
Call Gail Short, Media Relations, 205-934-8931/[email protected].
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