A Boston Children’s Hospital psychiatrist says costumes, make-believe scares and trick-or-treating can help children practise emotional resilience , if they remain in control.
Halloween can be more than a night of costumes and sweets, according to a Boston Children’s Hospital psychiatrist who says the holiday can help children practise confidence, imagination and emotional resilience. Dr Kevin Simon said dressing up gives children a safe way to experiment with different identities, while the social side of trick-or-treating can also help them connect with neighbours in ways that are increasingly uncommon.
Simon said a little fear is not necessarily a bad thing. He argued that encountering spooky decorations, masks or make-believe scares in a controlled setting can help children learn how to manage strong feelings, especially when parents frame the experience as playful rather than threatening. That view is in line with advice from child-development specialists, who say Halloween can offer a contained way for children to face fears and build a sense of mastery.
For parents, Simon’s advice is to keep children involved in the decisions. He suggested letting them choose costumes and decide which houses they want to visit, rather than pushing them to take part in every part of the evening. The University of Connecticut has said many preschool children are naturally uneasy about masks and costumes, and that it helps when adults talk through those fears, set clear expectations and allow children to move at their own pace. Simon also encouraged parents to join in. “Put your own mask on,” Simon said. “Just be a kid.”
The point, he said, is not to force a perfect Halloween but to make it feel manageable and enjoyable. That means children should be allowed to skip a house if it seems too frightening, and parents should help them see the evening as something they can shape for themselves. Separate safety guidance from Dartmouth Health Children’s also reminds families to stay alert on the roads, noting that more children are injured by cars on Halloween night than on any other evening of the year.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
