ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

I have always felt like the "Scrooge of Halloween" when expressing my concerns about this holiday and young children. There are so many issues attached to it.....consumerism, unhealthy snacks, scariness, exclusion of children either due to religious concerns or food allergies, diversity and cultural awareness, developmental appropriateness, and the list goes on...... But it's especially disconcerting to consider the total lack of respect for young children .......it's less about what children need or want and all about what adults want. In addition to asking the question "what's the rush?" we need to ask "why are we doing this to young children?"

And what would the difference be taking your children to Disneyland for hugs and handshakes from the Disney characters? Are they not strangers too? And, they are actually going to be hugged by that stranger? I can't help to feel sad for the children today. We protect them from the feelings of their own emotions. Halloween was one of my favourite holidays as I child and even into my teens. It was an opportunity to be creative and show off my creations to the world and, of course, the candy was just an added bonus. My parents taught me the does and don'ts for Halloween and I somehow survived!!! How boring would our worlds have been as children, if we could not anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or even the Tooth Fairy all because it is wrong to lie to our children? I feel sad that we over analyse things today. Perhaps we should just hold our children's hands and enjoy the magical journey with them.

I have always felt like "the scrooge of Halloween" when I express concerns about the holiday being so much a part of early childhood programs and more recently with even the youngest children. In addition to concerns about the mixed messages, excessive candy consumption, commercialism, scariness, childhood food allergies, diversity and cultural awareness, developmental appropriateness, etc. there is simply the matter of "respecting children". Adults impose the holiday on even the youngest children more to satisfy themselves ("oh, how cute is that baby or toddler dressed like a bumblebee!", etc.) rather than giving a thought to what could possibly be going through the minds of the children. So much of what is done in early childhood these days is more about what adults want than what children need. The last 2 sentences sum it up, "what's the rush?" , but I would also add that it should be left to families and kept out of schools and early learning programs.

Just returned to my office from our school's Halloween parade and the party still goes on. It was fun and wonderful for children and parents and grandparents alike. Kids paraded and sang and loved wearing their costumes. It was a beautiful time outside with the lovely grounds of the school. Sure there were a couple of criers and sure some kids felt overwhelmed for a few minutes, but I believe it is good for a child to experience those feelings of being scared or overwhelmed in a controlled environment. I believe it helps them deal with other life situations with the knowledge that he or she can survive. Don't overprotect children.

ABsolutely love this holiday. My child only trick or treats with us and we always go to our neighbors homes. We do not visit strangers. WE get so much exercise that night (waling for two hours) and my daughter loves to create her own costumes. This wonderful experience has been passed down from my parents. Sounds like the author of this article does not understand the holiday either.