Here are some Halloween discussion prompts for your children. Halloween, short for All Hallows Eve takes place on 31st October. A brief summary of Halloween appears on pages 6-7 of Spid the Spider Gets Spooked at Halloween.
What is Halloween?
The Halloween tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. At this time, celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down, allowing more interaction between humans and inhabitants of the ‘otherworld’. It is a time to remember those who have died, including saints (hallows) and martyrs. So bowls are filled with food and placed outside homes to make sure ghosts don’t come in. People also light bonfires, dress up in fierce-looking costumes, and make jack o’ lanterns to frighten the spirits away.
What is fear?
Fear is a threat to our physical, emotional or psychological well-being. In humans as well as other animals it triggers many physiological responses to keep us safe. These include an inclination to freeze, fight or flee. Some people find fear intolerable while others seek it out, for example, by watching scary movies, or riding roller coasters. Though while you might feel afraid doing some of these things, take heart that fear is moderated by learning to deal with it.
While it is easy to understand why people might be afraid at Halloween, today it is widely celebrated the world over. Halloween has also become a major retail and cultural event.
Families decorate their homes and gardens with scary symbols, and take the opportunity to host parties, dress up and watch scary films such as Halloween. So why don’t you watch Spid and the Gang walking through Wookey Hollow in the Wookey Whoo! music video. And ask yourself how do you feel watching the video?
Discussion Prompts
