Yes or No to Santa Claus

In discussing how parents should deal with issues of fantasy in his book, Parenting on the Go, David Elkind observes...

"Young children think differently than we do.  It is not a wrong way of thinking, just different and age-appropriate.  As they mature, children will overcome their earlier modes of thought themselves.  The world of the young child is magical rather than scientific.  In this magical world, animals can talk and think.  Santa can fly through the sky in a reindeer-driven sleigh, and the tooth fairy can fly into our bedrooms, take a tooth from under an occupied pillow, and leave a gift in its place....

"So the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and fairy tale characters are entirely in keeping with the young child's magical thinking.  Supporting young children's belief in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy, and fantasy  actually contributes to a child's healthy development.  By allowing and encouraging these fantasies with our children, we give them the feeling that we adults are able to share their perspective.  In so doing, we are able to bond more closely with them."

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