Trick or Treating” is a fun tradition that brings children out in droves every Halloween night. For children, the goal is to get as much candy as they can in their bucket or bag. For parents, the goal can be to make sure children are obviously safe, but also polite and respectful. Before your little one leaves the house, go over some basic manners on Trick or Treating.
When going to someone’s door, one ring of the doorbell or a few knocks are all that are needed. If no one answers the door after a minute, then encourage your child to move on to the next house. They do not need to continue to pound on the door or ring the bell multiple times.
When the door is answered, tell your child to expect just one treat. Even if someone lets them choose something, they only needs to take one piece.
There is no judging the candy in hearing range of the candy giver. Make sure you remind your little one to keep his opinion of the candy to themself. They can comment on it when they dump it out on the floor when they get home.
After getting a treat, your child needs to look the candy giver in the eye through his cute or scary mask and say “thank you,” no matter what their opinion is of the treat.
Remind them that when you say it is time to go home, they needs to be agreeable. When they ges home your child needs to say “thank you” for taking them out to Trick or Treat. Here is a great opportunity for you as a parent to have your little one practice his good manners.