Children and Havdalah
As the days become longer, the time for havdala comes later and later. This is a problem for young children. The Mishna Berura says that once a child understands what Shabbos is, he should be trained to hear havdala. What should a parent do if the time for havdala is 9:30 p.m. or later? It is understandable to let the child stay up a little later. However, what if havdala is way past his bedtime?
Piskei Teshuvos suggests that a child should employ the leniency of reaching havdala after plag hamincha. If the time for havdala is 9:30 p.m., plag hamincha would be around 7:00 p.m. This is a creative solution but controversial. The Shulchan Aruch (293:3) writes that in extenuating circumstances, an adult can recite havdala after plag hamincha. He will not be permitted to perform any forbidden labor until nightfall. Therefore, he cannot recite the blessing on the havdala candle. However, the Mishna Berura cautions against using this leniency. First, he says it appears bizarre to recite havdala while it is still daytime. Moreover, since one recited havdala, one may forget that it is still Shabbos until nightfall and perform melacha. If the Mishna Berura cautioned against using this leniency for adults, one can argue that he would certainly be against impressionable children using this leniency. They need to be trained that Shabbos is over at nightfall and not at plag hamincha.