How Should You Respond If Your Child Says He or She Sees Ghosts?

Paranormal experiences are a common occurence in childhood. But based on how parents and siblings respond, a child may or may not feel comfortable discussing the very real experiences they are having. American culture, including its multiplicity of religious beliefs, do not allow for the paranormal experience of seeing spirits or ghosts to be considered acceptable. Whereas other cultures may acknowledge and even explain the appearance of etherial beings of light that were once embodied members of our community, American culture teaches children to respond with fear when in the presence of beings existing in other dimensions. Is the New Age movement in direct conflict with most church teachings? How can children develop a healthy understanding of life and what we know as death unless allowed to explore and discuss the unknown? How do we respond if our children tell us they have seen ghosts? Do we silence them? Do we scold them for making up lies? Do we take them to a therapists? Or do we listen and try to help them process the experience?