Halloween, it’s not just about the costume!

October 29, 2009 by Cathy Ribble  
Filed under: News

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This Halloween parents across the world will be dressing children with fun, fancy and even frightening costumes, but parents should remember that it’s not just about the costume!

Most holiday events we celebrate with our children provide natural “teaching moments”, if we take advantage of them.

As you venture out with your child for a fun night of trick-or-treating, remember safety first.  Children need adult supervision.  Your child may enjoy trick-or-treating with friends.  That’s great, but be sure that there is a responsible adult to handle the number of children in the group.  Encourage the children that they are part of a group and they need to trick-or-treat as a group.  Costumes, nighttime and candy often make it more difficult to keep up with even a small group.  Be sure you have a bright flashlight to guide the way in those areas which are not properly lit.

Trick-or-treat groups provide the perfect opportunity to teach your child to wait his turn.  Encourage rotation in the group so that every child gets to be first.  That should mean that every child also gets to experience being last.  Offer praises along the way to encourage the last child.  “Thank you, Bryce, for waiting your turn!”

And last, but certainly not least, start your evening by demonstrating the proper way to say “thank you” each and every time they receive a treat!  Younger children will need the supervising adult to go all the way to the doorstep.  It’s perfectly normal for you to have to remind the children frequently.  Children are focused on the costumes and the candy, but you can instill habits that will last a lifetime.  Good habits are developed with methodical repetition.  When a child remembers on his own, don’t forget to praise him for his good behavior, “Beckett, I’m so proud of you!  You remembered to say ‘thank you’!”

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