Psychologists discuss how to deal when your kid is easily spooked.
, such as costumed kids at a party or trick-or-treating when it’s dark and spooky outside?
Unfortunately, there are plenty of added variables for toddlers and school-aged kids, adds Dr. Lindsay Popilskis, a licensed psychologist at. “One of the issues for younger children when it comes to decorations and seeing people in masks is that their imaginations at that age are really developing — at the same time, that active imagination may blur the boundary between reality and fantasy.”
Popilskis says that some kids might be afraid of the more fantasy-oriented stuff, such as zombies and monsters, while other kids might be afraid of realistic-looking things like skeleton bones and fake blood. “Or perhaps your child's fears and anxiety are more related to the social aspect of Halloween, such as being in a group while trick-or-treating or knocking on the doors of potential strangers to ask for candy,” she adds.