Route 70 Goddard School Works to ‘Fight the Fright’

Pre-School Hosts ‘Not-So-Scary’ Halloween Happenings

(Toms River, NJ) -- Ghosts, goblins and ghouls ? My, oh, my ! Halloween and “The Day of the Dead” can be so frightening for some children. For this reason, the teachers at The Goddard School, located at 255 Route 70, in Toms River, http://www.goddardschool.com/Schools/Toms-River-II-NJ/Schools.gspx, actually work to *fight-the-fright*, by focusing instead on a more general theme of harvest-time activities, and boosting social-interaction skills and social-math skills in the days leading up to the Halloween happenings.

First, the Goddard School hosts a non-scary “Hello-FEST” party for the students and for their best friends at 6:30 PM on Thursday, October 23rd. Then, the school hosts a more traditional “HOWL-fest” costume parade for children at 10:30 AM on Thursday, October 30th, and at 10:30 on Friday, October 31st.

But, prior to the party and parade events, The Goddard School teachers work with the children to develop their artistic expression, and motor skills, with activities involving decorating with paint and glitter, as well as working on other Halloween craft activities. The toddlers and youngsters get to work on the math concepts of counting and sharing, bartering and exchanging, in anticipation of the traditional trick-or-treat activities of the season. And, teachers and students also focus on manners and social skills – important things like saying “Please” and “Thank You”.

“Halloween happenings can be very scary for toddlers, but these days are also among the most exciting and fascinating days of the year for older children. Harvest-time is rich with fun and folklore, but there really aren't a lot of Halloween activities for the stroller crowd,” says Dana Chibbaro (CQ), owner and operator of the school. “So, we’re trying things a little differently this year, to replace Halloween fear with Halloween cheer, so that all of the children can enjoy the fun-filled, brighter side of the harvest celebration.”

So, mark your calendars now about these Halloween Happenings, and feel free to call Ms. Dana Chibbaro at (732) 363-5530 for more information about this event and about The Goddard School for Early Childhood. You may also e-mail her at: TomsRiver2NJ@Goddard School.com