Halloween, Montessori-Style

Whether we are excited about the delights of Halloween or reluctant to face the excess of sweets, the holiday is upon us! At Bozeman Montessori, we try to approach holidays as an opportunity to learn more about culture, which includes understanding the history as well as related traditions. As with other aspects of culture, we also think about how to give and show respect in a way that is developmentally appropriate. Above all, we keep in mind what makes sense for each child.

Teach the History

How did Halloween begin? This is an excellent time to explore the origin of Halloween with your child. Young children appreciate a very simple explanation that is linked to the rhythm of the year. For example: “Around this time, when the nights are getting longer and darker, different cultures have different ways of marking this shift from summer into winter. In our culture, one way people have celebrated the change of seasons is by dressing up and visiting neighbors.”

It is also one of the eight major mark points of time throughout the calendar which includes the shortest and longest days of the year (Solstice) and the equal day and night points of the year (Equinoxes). Halloween marks the midpoint between Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice, so in many places, the warmer days of fall start to give way to the longer, colder nights of the deeper winter. Some cultures see this as the true end of the growing season. Crops have been harvested and stored by this time, and fields and gardens would rest for the winter, so naturally this felt like a kind of end of year. 

Along with that feeling of endings and closure, another tradition was to honor the passing of any family members who had died in the last year. Some people felt closer to the family members no longer living during this time as they would look back on the past year and want to find a way to honor them. Dia de Muertos is a better-known expression of this sentiment and takes more of a front seat in Latin cultures. Over the years at Bozeman Montessori, our primary teachers have set up Ofrendas, a special table at the school to collect photos, flowers, or small mementos to celebrate special family members or pets who have passed. This has been a very simple holiday to incorporate into classroom discussions that include the full cycle of birth to death in age-appropriate ways. 

With older children, it’s fun to do a little research together into Halloween’s ancient Celtic origins. Telling a little teaser story can spark some interest in learning more. For example: “Did you know that Halloween began over 2,000 years ago? It wasn’t called Halloween then, though. Its name was Samhain (pronounced ‘sow-en’), which means ‘summer’s end.’ Back then, winter could be a dangerous time, so people got together to face some of the superstitions and fears, and also to play games and eat together before winter began. Let’s see what else we can discover about this celebration and traditions over time!”

If you are interested in learning more with your children, here are some helpful links for collaborative research:

The Origins of Halloween Traditions

This History of Halloween for Kids

Halloween History for Kids: Six Facts They Should Know

Practice Grace and Courtesy

It’s not often that we march up to multiple houses and demand treats! As such, we want to be thoughtful about how we introduce the practice of trick-or-treating to our children, uphold our family values, and model showing manners while having fun. 

Young children will likely benefit from some demonstration before they jump into the experience. Role-playing with a family member, friend, or neighbor can set children up for success before they are in the awkward situation of standing before a stranger uncertain about what to do (or not do). 

With older children (and their friends if they are trick-or-treating as a group), it’s also helpful to collaboratively review expectations such as walking on people’s sidewalks rather than marching through yards, only approaching houses with porch lights on, the protocol for knocking and/or ringing the doorbell, how to politely respond or engage when someone comes to the door, and what to say as you leave (e.g. “thank you” or “Happy Halloween!”). In addition, Halloween is an excellent time to review road safety around crossing the street and checking for cars, particularly at night!

Remember Developmental Appropriateness

 Our young children are still distinguishing between what is real and what isn’t. As such, Halloween can be an exciting and yet sometimes disorienting time. Our language can help. Just like with toddlers when we say, “This is a picture of a giraffe” rather than “This is a giraffe” when we present a language card with a giraffe image. During Halloween festivities, we can be specific about how we talk about people in costumes or even decorations. For example, we might say, “Oh look, there is a person dressed up in a witch costume!” Rather than, “There is a witch!” Or we might offer some explanation if our children are hesitant, “Those bat and spider figurines hanging on the porch look so real, but when I look more closely I see how they are made of plastic. Can you see that, too?” 

If fears do arise, acknowledge your child’s feelings, let them know it’s okay to feel scared, and make sure they feel heard and supported. The last thing we want to do is minimize our children’s fears. Sometimes this means making some modifications to the Halloween plans. Ultimately, we want to make sure the festivities are fun for our children. This might mean considering other options, like decorating pumpkins versus dressing up like zombies. Low-key or autumn-themed activities might be best if children are feeling anxious or fearful. 

However your family chooses to celebrate the season, remember we have an opportunity to model respect and thoughtfulness, as well as the importance of having some fun! Let us know what you love to do this time of year. We would love to hear about your family’s favorite autumn and Halloween traditions!