Here’s how to ensure a positive experience if you let your child watch scary movies.
It’s time for all things scary, creepy, and crawly! Cue the slasher films, possession movies, zombie flicks, and everything in between. While all of these movies are the production of fictional nightmares, you might want to be wary of what you do and do not show your children. As the spooky season approaches, it might be time to consider what is or isn’t too scary for your children to watch.
Think About Your Child’s Fears
Children between the ages of five and eight are still learning how to process the world around them. This means that fantasy and reality often overlap, and your child may have a hard time discerning what is real and what is fake. In addition, children between these ages are prone to feel anxious or uncomfortable if a movie is too intense.
Next, think about what your child fears most. For some, it’s the dentist, for others, it might be the dark! Now, add in some scary masks, screaming, and general horror, and you have the perfect concoction for overwhelming fear. In addition, think about how your child views the world. Are they able to distinguish between reality and fantasy? Or are they more likely to cower if they see a clown costume? These clues can help you decide if your child is mature enough to watch certain movies or TV shows.
Prep Your Child for Scary Movies
Before you even press play, have a sit-down conversation with your child to help them better understand what you’re about to watch. Start out with the lights on to gauge their general mood, and sit with them throughout the entire movie. When you feel afraid, or something pops out that scares you, make sure you bring it up and try not to overreact. How we respond to fear can shape how our children view scary things.
Remind your child that they are allowed to turn off the scary movie at any time and walk away. Or, if they feel too scared, turn on a lighthearted movie or show to help ground them. If you notice your child having nightmares, night terrors, or is generally afraid to sleep alone, these are good indicators that they should not be watching scary movies or TV shows, or that you should turn down the fear factor.
Remember, if there is a movie that is too scary for you, it is way too scary for your children to watch.
Scary Movies for Kids
Want to introduce your children to some scary movies, but not sure where to start? Here’s a list of scary movies we recommend!
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Gremlins
Labyrinth
Coraline
The Sixth Sense
Harry Potter
Corpse Bride
Casper
Scooby-Doo
Don’t Look Under the Bed
