Halloween may be best known for costumes and candy, but many of the traditions children look forward to each year also offer valuable opportunities for learning and development.

Traditional Halloween experiences can help young children practice the skills they are still learning to navigate. Choosing a costume encourages decision making and self-expression, while trick-or-treating gives children a chance to communicate with others and build confidence in new social situations. These experiences are naturally engaging, allowing children to learn through something they are already curious and excited about.

Families can help make the most of these hidden learning opportunities by giving children the space to make choices, ask questions and take the lead when they are ready. Here are a few ways to encourage those moments this Halloween:

Let Their Curiosity Lead

For adults, choosing between a firefighter and a dinosaur costume might not seem like a major decision. For a young child, these small choices are important practice and an opportunity to show us what captures their imagination.

When children are given age-appropriate opportunities to make decisions, they begin learning to trust their own ideas and interests. Moreover, it shows the child that they are trusted to make a decision, and little choices build big confidence. Families can encourage independence by resisting the urge to immediately steer children toward a particular choice.

Instead, get curious alongside them. Ask questions like “What do you like about that costume?” or “What makes you excited about being a princess?” Open-ended questions encourage children to think more deeply, express their ideas and explain the thinking behind their choices.

Exploration doesn’t have to stop once the costume is on. Choosing which house to visit next or selecting a piece of candy from a bowl are all small opportunities for children to make decisions and learn from the experience.

Look Beyond ‘Trick or Treat!’

Trick-or-treating provides plenty of practice for saying “please” and “thank you,” but there are many other developmentally rich experiences happening during those interactions.

From a young child’s perspective, approaching someone they may not know, initiating an interaction, communicating what they want and responding to another person can require a great deal of social confidence, especially while navigating other trick-or-treaters around them. Each of these exchanges gives children an opportunity to practice communicating with others and become more comfortable in unfamiliar social situations.

Talking through what to expect before heading out can help children feel more prepared, while giving them the opportunity to speak for themselves during trick-or-treating allows them to put those skills into practice. If your child is hesitant, offer support without pressure. Some children will enthusiastically lead the way to every door, while others may need more time to warm up. Following a child’s individual pace can help make a new experience feel exciting rather than overwhelming.

Give Them Room To Discover What They Can Do

It can be tempting to step in when a child takes a little too long to choose a treat or becomes shy at a doorstep. But when it is safe and appropriate, give them a moment to work through the experience themselves.

Children learn by doing. When they have opportunities to explore, make choices and navigate small challenges, they can begin developing problem-solving skills, independence and confidence in their own abilities.

The goal isn’t a picture-perfect Halloween. It’s allowing children to experience the holiday in a way that works for them while encouraging their natural curiosity and giving them opportunities to stretch their independence. By giving children space to make choices, communicate and try new things, families can turn an already fun holiday into an opportunity to practice skills they’ll continue building long after Halloween is over.

Dr. Lauren Loquasto is SVP and chief academic officer at Goddard Systems, LLC, the manager of The Goddard School franchise system. She leads the development of The Goddard School’s exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning^®, and has more than 20 years of experience in curriculum development, teaching, special education and early childhood and elementary education.

The Goddard School is a leader in early childhood education serving nearly 100,000 students, from 6 weeks to 6 years old across more than 690 schools in 37 states and Washington, D.C. For nearly four decades, it has partnered with families to create joyful, supportive environments that nurture curiosity, character and a love of learning.