Halloween activities can be frightening for young children, who don’t yet have the ability to understand the difference between real and pretend. What can you do to help ensure that your little one enjoys the holiday? Our experts have some tips: 👇 ⏰ Avoid an abrupt increase in pace. Try to maintain your child’s routines. Too many extra activities can overwhelm young children. 👻 Be aware of scary decorations in unexpected places, like the grocery store. Acknowledge and avoid them and redirect your child’s attention with language like, “Those are spooky decorations! We’re here for blueberries and apples. Can you help me find the apples?” 🏫 Consider an event carefully before attending to determine if it will be age-appropriate. Many toddler-friendly occasions specify no character costumes and no masks. 🎃 Try a divide-and-conquer approach with multi-age siblings. If you have older children who find the spooky, fantastical part of Halloween fun, you can stay home with your youngest child, while your older one goes trick-or-treating with your partner or another trusted adult. ⛔ Have your child wear a sign expressing body boundaries, like “Characters, please do not say ‘hi’ to me.” Some young children may want to participate in the events and find character costumes frightening only when approached by one. Above all, follow your child’s readiness and comfort level. They mostly need you to respond to their fear with empathy and security. Keep in mind, too, that when they see something scary, their distress may not always surface immediately—the reaction may be delayed. There’s no need to rush to introduce your little one to the scary side of Halloween. To make it fun for them, focus on developmentally appropriate activities, like a daytime trip to a pumpkin patch. Did you find this helpful? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 👻 #Lovevery #Parenting #ParentingTips #Halloween #ToddlersofTikTok