The Halloween decorations around the Primrose School in Woodbury are definitely more friendly than spooky; a pumpkin patch in the front yard was a big hit and classroom bulletin boards are festively decorated with bats, cats and harvest images.
The kids' costume choices are fairly tame, too. Tonya Holt, co-owner of the child-care and preschool program for children age 6 weeks through kindergarten, said she recently talked to "two Darth Vaders, a ninja and a few Buzz Lightyears" about their plans for Halloween, a holiday that she believes "intrigues kids more than it scares them."
Yet children have fears. One 5-year-old boy at Primrose recently stayed behind during a class field trip to a fire station. Initially he said he was afraid of sliding down the fire pole, but later admitted he was really worried about a siren going off .
"When kids are afraid, we always encourage them to talk specifically about what it is that makes them feel that way," Holt said. "We try to get to the root of the problem, but the fact is that sometimes no amount of reassurance from us will change their minds."
A variety of fears Steve Ruff, a marriage and family therapist with Lakewood Counseling Center in Richfield, said children's fears frequently depend on their age.
"Preschoolers can be fearful about being separated from their parents. Large animals, like dogs, can trigger fear. Many young children are also afraid of the dark," he said.
Elementary-age children tend to have fears tied to real life -- many are afraid of burglars, kidnappings or war. Some are afraid of their parents divorcing. The fear of a parent dying is also fairly typical for this age group since they are becoming more aware of life and death.
Talking with children about their fears can help them process their thoughts and give them a more realistic view of the fear.