1. Halloween 101

Help your child know what to expect-- explain trick-or-treating and what they will see, hear, and experience!  Give your kids a preview of the festivities by watching shows and reading stories that feature trick-or-treating, Halloween characters and traditions. Try a trick-or-treating dry run knocking on doors around your house, play with flashlights in the dark, and practice sounds they might hear.

2. Dress Rehearsal
Try on that costume!  Let them wear it around the house to experience the different textures and movement restrictions.  Halloween costumes can be itchy, uncomfortable, or made with fabrics not regularly worn by your kids.  If your child is uncomfortable, try layering more comfortable clothes underneath.  Animal costumes are great for softer fabrics, and hand-held masks allow breaks from wearing a mask all night.  If a character costume is too much, try something in everyday clothes (think a Minion in overalls, a Boy Scout uniform, or an all-pink clad Pinkalicious).  Or get into character with face paint and temporary tattoos!



3. Talk Candy
Candy is full of different textures and some candy may have a "surprise" in the center.  Talk about these differences and what kind of candy they might expect, and help them to know which ones to enjoy and which to avoid.  Taste test if you must!

4. Change Traditions
Know your limits- trick-or-treating, or crowded festivals might just be too much this year.  Try dressing up and passing out the candy instead, or visiting a select group of familiar houses of friends and family.  Avoid crowds by trick-or-treating in quiet neighborhoods or earlier in the evening before dark.

5. HAVE FUN!
Whether or not your child dresses up, or goes trick-or-treating, or spits out their candy (more for you!), prepare to be flexible and let them lead the way on what a fun Halloween means for them.  Have fun out there, stay safe, and bring all of your extra candy to your therapists at Good Beginnings (wink, wink)!