- After a long evening of fun and candy eating kids are wired. Their cortisol levels are up sky high requiring outside factors to help their body start the wind down process for sleep. Instead of crashing in front of the TV, one thing they can do is wind down by listening to sleep stories. A favorite, Moshi Twilight for kids, is highly beneficial.
- If a child is amped up after watching a scary part of a movie, tell them to just imagine that when the scene is done, the director says “CUT” and the goblins, witches, or whomever all stroll to the snack bar and start chatting and eating chips. It lets them know that it is make believe and is done for fun. You can even use YouTube to show the child what the backstage of the movie set looks like with those actors and characters.
- Halloween is all in the head and plays with emotions. The adrenaline rush of the fear is what people gravitate to. For kids, especially sensitive ones, what can work well is to have them recreate a scary image into a funny one. For example, they can visualize a scary monster now dressed in maybe a hot pink tutu, a glittery bow and bright pink nails who now dances lightly all around.
- Plan for an early bedtime the next day.
- Wind down the body with a story in the background. Hearing soothing sounds will help their minds wind down.
- Talk about the experience when bedtime is approaching.
- Dim the lights in the room.
IngredientsMarshmallows Chocolate chips Lollipop or popsicle sticks Styrofoam Decorating gelDirectionsStick marshmallows onto the lollipop sticks, and place in freezer for about 15 minutes until cold. While the marshmallows are chilling, slowly heat one cup of chocolate chips on a simmering heat in a double-boiler, stirring constantly until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove the marshmallows from the freezer and dip them lightly in the melted chocolate for a thin coating. To lend a mummy look to the marshmallows, swirl them so layers of white wrap around the confections. Dunk marshmallows to make a twisted peak on top for ghosts. To make other dunked marshmallows reminiscent of Frankenstein, smooth the chocolate with the flat part of a spoon. Use a block of Styrofoam in which to stick the marshmallow pops for cooling in the refrigerator. After the treats harden, add faces with decorating gel. Paint eyes and mouths directly on the marshmallow characters.YieldNutrition
Ingredients3/4 c. all-purpose flour 3/4 c. cocoa powder 3/4 tsp. salt 15 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 1½ c. sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract 3 large eggs ½ c. semisweet chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips) Gravestone ingredients: Gray construction paper Scissors Toothpicks TapeDirectionsPreheat oven to 325 °F. Whisk the first three ingredients in a bowl and set aside. In a standing mixer or bowl, whisk the melted butter, sugar and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until combined then slowly mix in the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into a greased and parchment lined 9x13 baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Cool, cut into bars with a serrated knife and top with gravestones. To make gravestones, cut gray construction paper into stones and decorate as desired. Place a toothpick on the backside of the stone, attach with a piece of tape and poke the gravestone toothpick into the brownie.YieldServes 14Nutrition
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