Gifted Reads – It’s ‘Is Santa Real?’ Time!

One of the signs that may point to a gifted child is their seemingly neverending store of questions, often about rather sophisticated topics. This season brings up one big question that can be really difficult to answer, gifted kid or not – “Is Santa Real?”

You know your kid better than anyone else, so you’ll be the best judge of how to walk the line between fantasy and reality when this question comes up. Psychologists believe that kids’ belief in Santa and other mythical holiday figures can be healthy! While the kids are young enough to believe in these mythical figures, performing family traditions like putting out cookies for Santa is an important memory-making experience that shouldn’t be overshadowed by the reality that the Santa myth will eventually burn out in your child’s imagination. 

Other questions about Santa can open up great opportunities for discussions about diversity during the holidays. Children might wonder why Santa visits their house, but not their friends’ house, and they also may wonder why they don’t get Hannukah presents when said friend does. This is a great way for kids to explore diverse holiday traditions by asking questions! 

This is also a time to consider what ‘Santa’ brings to the tree – it is becoming more common for parents to have bigger or more expensive gifts come from them, rather than Santa. A USA Today article said it best –

“…children inevitably compare notes — and kids from less fortunate families will wonder why Santa only brought them socks and a coloring book (if that), when he brought Suzie from down the street an iPad.”

Read the full article ‘“Is Santa Real?” How to Answer When Your Kids Pose the Thorniest Holiday Questions’ from PureWow here.