On this week’s "Parenting" segment, one family is concerned that their son is increasingly worried about ghosts as Halloween approaches. 

Child psychotherapist Joanna Fortune answered this and other questions for Moncrieff. 

The question

“Our five-year-old is very excited about Halloween and he wants to dress up as wizard,” they said. 

“I’ve been instructed to make a wand for him; however, some of the Halloween themed kids shows he watches on the streamers feature ghosts. 

“He keeps asking about them; he’s a very sensitive and curious boy and we are worried about his fixation on ghosts. 

“Some day he will mention them and say, ‘That’s okay because they’re not real.’ 

“Yet he is clearly seeking affirmation of this. 

“On other days, he appears frightened and asks us what to do if he sees one. How should we deal with this situation?”

The advice

“I would keep going as you are and saying, ‘You’re right, ghosts aren’t real,’” Joanna Fortune said.   

“When he’s saying to himself, ‘It’s okay because they’re not real,’ you just say, ‘Absolutely, it’s okay because they’re not real. They’re just a story for Halloween time.’ 

“So, give him that affirmation." 

Joanna said it is worth focusing on aspects of Halloween that are not scary but still enjoyable.

“I think [you should] start talking about Halloween; it’s a time of year and it symbolises change and the cycle of life, the season changes, the leaves fall off the trees and we’re getting ready for winter,” she said. 

“Talk about it beyond dress up and beyond witches, wizards and ghosts. 

“Keep Halloween playful… and I think you can have a lot of fun with games that are not more into that scary stuff but are about the fun of it - the pumpkin carving, fun decorations.”

Children Wearing Halloween Costumes For Trick Or Treating. Image: MBI/Alamy

Joann added there are "tons of books" about Halloween that children can enjoy.

“The ones I know myself are Pick A Pumpkin by Patricia Tort, Witch In Training by Michelle Robinson, Leila The Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago," she said. 

“I brought my little one to a reading of that book in a shop near me and it’s a lovely one. 

“Tom And The Pumpkins is one - they’re easily sourced, this is a good time of year to get a few books and be playful with it.”

Main image: Ghosts in the woods. Picture by: Alamy.com