04 Oct Halloween & Montessori: Dos & Don’ts

It’s spooky season! Halloween can be a confusing time for young children because it blurs the lines between make-believe and reality. Here at Meadow Montessori, we believe it can be a fun celebration as well as a teaching opportunity. We’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts to help you make this spooky season a positive experience for your child. Read on to discover our tips!

If you are in the Richmond, TX area, and are looking for a Montessori School for your child, contact Meadow Montessori School today!

Dos:

Educate Them on the Holiday

Halloween can be difficult for a child to understand. Take some time to explain the history and background of the holiday and why we celebrate it today. Reiterate that many elements of the holiday are based on make-believe. Ask them questions like, “is this real or pretend?” Keep the conversation open and give them space to ask questions.

Let Them Choose a Literary or Historical Costume

Since reading is one of the most important Montessori values, we love to celebrate books whenever we can. Here at Meadow Montessori, we hold a Halloween book character party every year. Your child can still be independent and choose a costume they feel drawn to, but encourage choices that are rooted in reality, like book characters, historical figures, and occupations.

Plan Fun Activities

Halloween is a great time to plan activities that you and your family can enjoy together. Carving pumpkins is a perfect way to spend quality time together, as it helps promote your child’s independence and creativity. Pro-tip: after carving, wipe down the pumpkin inside and out with a solution of one part vinegar to 10 parts water to keep it from rotting too quickly.

If you’re looking for an alternative to carving, painting and decorating works too. You can also toast the seeds for a tasty snack!

Don’ts:

Overindulge

Candy and other sweets are a major part of Halloween, and while we don’t want to restrict our children from enjoying a sweet treat, we also don’t want to let them overindulge. This is a great teaching opportunity on how to enjoy candy in moderation.

Additionally, try out a fun and healthy recipe to make together! Cooking is a wonderful activity that teaches children motor skills and trial and error. Here are some great recipes for festive but healthy Halloween treats!

Encourage Fantasy

For developing children, differentiation between fantasy and reality can be confusing. On Halloween, it can be especially scary. Avoid the aspects of Halloween that are make-believe and potentially frightening, like witches, ghosts, and other scary creatures.

Ignore Scary, Violent, or Confusing Costumes

When you and your child encounter frightening, violent, or simply confusing imagery, you may be tempted just to ignore it. But this can make things worse for your child. Children don’t always express when they feel scared, so they may be anxious or paranoid without you even knowing. Address the issue when you come across it, reassure them that it isn’t real, and encourage them to express their feelings to you.

Forget to Have Fun!

At the end of the day, Halloween is a holiday–it should feel novel and exciting! You can still encourage positive Montessori principles and enjoy your time celebrating as a family. It is also an opportunity to promote your child’s autonomy and allow them to communicate how they want to celebrate.

Happy Halloween from Meadow Montessori!

Even though it’s spooky season, Halloween doesn’t need to be scary. By following these steps, you can plan a Montessori-friendly Halloween for your children.

Looking for a highly-rated Montessori School for your child in the Richmond, TX, area? Get in touch with Meadow Montessori School to schedule a tour!