Should you celebrate Halloween at your preschool or childcare?
It’s October and many of us remember the fun we had at Halloween when we were children. It is still a popular and fun holiday for many children, but it can also pose some challenges for childcare. Some families may have different beliefs or preferences about celebrating Halloween, and some children may be frightened by the spooky aspects of the holiday. How can you create a festive and inclusive atmosphere at your program without offending or scaring anyone? Here are some tips and ideas to help you plan a successful and respectful celebration at your program.
Communicate with Families
The first step is to communicate with the families of the children in your care. Ask them about their views and expectations regarding Halloween and other fall holidays, such as Thanksgiving or Harvest Festival. You can use a survey, a newsletter, or a parent-teacher conference to gather this information. Be respectful and open-minded, and try to understand the different perspectives and values of each family.
Some questions you can ask are:
- What Fall holidays do you celebrate?
- Do you have any concerns or preferences about Fall and/or Halloween might be celebrated at our center?
- Are there any costumes, decorations, or activities that you would prefer your child to avoid?
- Are there any other fall holidays that you celebrate or would like us to acknowledge?
Based on the feedback you receive, you can decide how to approach Halloween and other fall holidays at your program. Some centers may have families that want you to include fun Halloween activities, such as costumes and pumpkin carving. Others may have concerns. You may need to make some adjustments or compromises to accommodate the diverse needs and wishes of the families. For example, you may choose to:
- Have a general fall-themed celebration instead of Halloween.
- Avoid using scary or religious symbols, such as ghosts, witches, or tombstones.
- Allow children to opt out of certain activities or wear alternative costumes.
- Provide alternative treats or snacks for children with dietary restrictions or allergies. (Healthy snacks are recommended, like fresh fruit and veggies & dip.)
- Incorporate elements from other fall holidays or cultures, such as Dia de los Muertos, Diwali, or Sukkot.
Plan Age-Appropriate Activities
The second step is to plan age-appropriate activities that are fun and educational for the children in your care. You want to avoid activities that are too scary, violent, or inappropriate for young children. You also want to avoid activities that are too boring, easy, or repetitive for older children. Try to strike a balance between challenge and enjoyment, and between creativity and structure.
Some examples of age-appropriate activities are:
- Pumpkin painting: This is a great alternative to pumpkin carving, which can be dangerous for small children. You can provide different colors of paint and brushes, and let the children decorate their own pumpkins. You can also use stickers, glitter, or other materials to add some flair.
- Indoor trick-or-treating: This is a fun way to let the children experience the joy of collecting treats in a safe and controlled environment. You can decorate the doors in your daycare with festive Halloween decorations and have different teachers behind each door handing out candy or other goodies. You can also have the children wear costumes and parade around the daycare. (Trunk or Treating is also a fun option, where families give out candy from their car trunks as costumed children parade through a safely enclosed parking area.)
- Halloween-inspired crafts: This is a creative way to let the children express themselves and practice their fine motor skills. You can provide different materials and instructions for making Halloween-themed crafts, such as jack-o-lanterns, spooky houses, or spiders. You can also display the crafts around the center or let the children take them home.
- Storytime: This is an educational way to introduce the children to some Halloween-themed stories or books. You can choose stories that are not too scary or violent, but still have some suspense and humor. You can also ask the children questions about the stories, such as what they liked or learned from them. The New York Public Library has some great suggestions!
- Halloween songs and fingerplays: This is an energetic way to let the children have some fun and exercise. You can play some Halloween-themed songs or music, such as “Monster Mash”, “Thriller”, or “The Addams Family”. You can also teach the children some simple dances or movements that go along with the songs.
Have Fun!
The third step is to have fun! Halloween is a time to celebrate and enjoy yourself with the children. Don’t stress too much about pleasing everyone or doing everything perfectly. Just focus on creating a positive and playful atmosphere that fosters learning and growth. Remember that you are not only a caregiver, but also an educator, mentor, and friend to the children in your care.
We hope this blog post has helped you plan a successful and respectful Halloween celebration at your daycare. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading!