Every October, our classrooms and neighborhoods fill with tiny superheroes, spooky witches, and mini zombies. At first glance, Halloween might seem like a fun excuse for candy, costumes, and excitement. But beneath the masks, there’s something fascinating happening for kids: they’re using play to explore identity, emotions, and confidence.

The Brain Under the Costume

Dress-up play isn’t just about pretending. For kids, it’s a powerful exercise in brain development. When children take on a character, they’re activating parts of the brain responsible for empathy, perspective-taking, and emotional regulation.

By imagining what it feels like to be someone (or something) else, our kids are practicing skills like empathy. They’re pushed to imagine others’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

This kind of imaginative play lays the groundwork for social and emotional learning. It helps kids begin to answer questions like:

• What kind of person do I want to be?
• How do I feel when I’m brave, silly, or powerful?
• What does it feel like to step into someone else’s shoes?
  

Exploring Power, Fear, and Bravery

Halloween also gives children a unique space to explore emotions that might otherwise feel overwhelming. Dressing up as something “scary” can actually help kids practice bravery in a low-stakes way. When a child pretends to be a monster, they’re learning to control the very thing that might scare them.

That sense of control builds emotional resilience, and the brain learns that big feelings can be handled safely. Teachers might notice that even shy students light up in costume, suddenly speaking with confidence or trying out new social roles. That’s the power of play at work.

The Role of Adults: Co-Regulating Through Fun

As teachers and parents, we can use Halloween as a meaningful opportunity to support emotional growth. A few small shifts can make a big difference:

• Join the play. Ask questions like, “What does your superhero do when someone’s in trouble?” or “How does the witch feel when her potion works?” These questions can help kids connect emotion to action.
  
• Validate feelings. If a costume or decoration feels too scary, normalize it: “That skeleton looks spooky! Your brain’s job is to keep you safe. Let’s take a deep breath together.”
  
• Encourage imagination. Let kids mix and match costumes or invent their own characters. Creativity supports flexible thinking and confidence.
  

Beyond Halloween

When the decorations come down and the candy wrappers are gone, the lessons stick around. Kids who have regular chances for pretend play often show stronger social skills, better problem-solving, and more emotional awareness.

Halloween is a reminder that learning doesn’t always look like worksheets, lectures, or structured lessons. Sometimes, it looks like a child in a cape, running across the playground, discovering who they are and who they might become.