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But experts say keeping things fun, doing some research, and taking your child's lead in discussing scarier topics can help in avoiding dreams filled with nightmares.

Dr. Robert F. Mannis, a clinical psychologist with the practice Evergreen Psychology & Associates in Frederick, says that, in general, children cannot tell the difference between reality and fiction until "about the age of 6 years old."

"They live in the world of imagery and fantasy," Mannis said. "For them, ghosts and skeletons are very literal."

He believes the "healthy parental approach" is to stay in the "world of fantasy, not fear" because younger children often do not register that something is scary. His recommendation to parents is to turn a potentially scary situation into a playful one rather than a fearful one.

"Laugh at ghosts, wave at goblins, smile at ghouls," Mannis said.

But if a child still gets scared? Mannis encourages parents to talk to their child about their feelings but then simply hold the child close. He stresses that physical comfort in the form of a hug is very important because it "neutralizes the child's fear" and reminds the child that the parents are still there to keep them safe.

For Nancy Sweet, the discussion of ghosts and death might best be handled in a practical way. As program coordinator for the Rose Hill Manor Park and Children's Museum in Frederick, Sweet is involved in putting on Rose Hill's Ghost Tale Tours.

Offered four Saturday evenings in October, the 2-hour guided tour is for ages 10 and up and involves ghost stories and presentations on things such as superstitions, telling the future, and spirits.

This year's main topic is about death and mourning and the historical rituals, clothing, and symbols around it all.

Sweet says the intent of the evening is not to scare or manufacture something that is not there, adding that "really spooky stories" is not the intention. Instead, she says the museum prefers to present darker topics in a factual, historic way.

"We do not want [death] to be something to be fearful of or afraid of," Sweet said. "We're trying to do it with a historical perspective about the customs and origins and how they affected daily life."

Ron Angleberger is co-owner of Candlelight Ghost Tours of Frederick, a nighttime tour of Frederick locations where paranormal activity is said to have occurred. Described on its Web site as "a nightmare excursion through Maryland's most haunted city" where the "dead come alive," the tour allows children ages 6 and older.

When asked what he would recommend to parents about bringing kids on the tour, Angleberger says he has seen children "entrenched" by the stories, while others stay close to their parents.

"It varies for everybody. You know the child better than we do," Angleberger said, adding that a parent has never told him that a child was too scared.

Nancy Adkins, program coordinator for the City of Frederick Parks and Recreation Department, seconds this notion. She is overseeing the department's Halloween in Baker Park event, described on its flyer as a "walking guided tour through the park with a Halloween theme" taking place Oct. 28-30.

"Children seem to be very unique in their processing. They all react very differently," Adkins said. Although she says the event is not a haunted house with things jumping out at you, the park is dark, and there are scary noises, costumes with ugly faces, and tombstones, among other things.

"My advice would be if the parent is unsure about the situation, how their child would handle this activity, to call and ask ... some specifics about the evening," Adkins said, whether deciding on attending the park's event or any other Halloween activity, especially if an age recommendation is not listed.

"It needs to be the parent that is responsible for making the decision," she added.

Sandra Doggett is the supervisor of library media for Frederick County Public Schools. She says the school system no longer celebrates Halloween in a big way in an effort to tone down the fear factor of things. She also cited one elementary media specialist who likes to select Halloween books for children that mix humor with scarier topics so that the "story ends on a funny note and the kids realize it isn't true."

But in the end, when it comes to managing a child's fears, Doggett says it falls back to the parents and their best instincts.

"Introducing scary things to kids is an individual thing," she said. "One time kids enjoy it, one time they do not. I think parents are experts at determining when to back off." Mannis says it is always important to take a child's lead.

"Let them determine for you what is an acceptable level of interaction with scary things," he said, advising that parents ask their children how much they want to see or touch or watch.

In the end, Mannis says that children need to decide for themselves how to manage their fears. He stresses it is important to accept what they feel and ask them how much they want to talk about it.

"Do not override their feelings with the assumption that you can rationally explain the difference between fantasy and reality. They need to figure it out a bit on their own."