Fantastic Fantasy Figures
Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Leprechauns are all figures loved, adored, and believed in by young children. Are these mythical figures crucial to children developing correctly? As children grow into adulthood, they have to make a choice; to tell their kids about fantasy figures or deprive them of this magical experience. Because fantasy is a normal part of child development, believing in holiday figures like Santa and the Easter Bunny is healthy for young children and should continue to be promoted.
Imagination
Imagination is healthy for children. It sparks growth and development in the mind and helps children become socially ready to leave the home and enter school.
Playing pretend Pretend play is a quintessential part of development. The Journal of Clinical Child Psychology states that “The children who were able to access and organize their fantasy and emotions in play were more likely to recall and organize memories related to emotional events. Through play, children possibly gain access to affect-laden content in a similar way to the task demand of recalling emotional experiences ” (Seja & Russ, 1999). Fantasy …show more content…
These characters should be continued to be taught to younger children to push the creativity, emotional health, and development for many generations to come.
References
LoBue, V. (2016, December 05). Why It's OK for Kids to Believe in Santa Claus. Retrieved
January 22, 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-baby-scientist/201612/why-its-ok-kids-believe-in-santa-claus
Manosevitz, M., Prentice, N. M., & Texas Univ., A. D. (1976). Some Fantasy Characters of
Young Children: An Examination of Children's Beliefs in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny.
Moore, C. C. (1921). A Visit from St. Nicholas. Boston, MA: The Atlantic Monthly
Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Leprechauns are all figures loved, adored, and believed in by young children. Are these mythical figures crucial to children developing correctly? As children grow into adulthood, they have to make a choice; to tell their kids about fantasy figures or deprive them of this magical experience. Because fantasy is a normal part of child development, believing in holiday figures like Santa and the Easter Bunny is healthy for young children and should continue to be promoted.
Imagination
Imagination is healthy for children. It sparks growth and development in the mind and helps children become socially ready to leave the home and enter school.
Playing pretend Pretend play is a quintessential part of development. The Journal of Clinical Child Psychology states that “The children who were able to access and organize their fantasy and emotions in play were more likely to recall and organize memories related to emotional events. Through play, children possibly gain access to affect-laden content in a similar way to the task demand of recalling emotional experiences ” (Seja & Russ, 1999). Fantasy …show more content…
These characters should be continued to be taught to younger children to push the creativity, emotional health, and development for many generations to come.
References
LoBue, V. (2016, December 05). Why It's OK for Kids to Believe in Santa Claus. Retrieved
January 22, 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-baby-scientist/201612/why-its-ok-kids-believe-in-santa-claus
Manosevitz, M., Prentice, N. M., & Texas Univ., A. D. (1976). Some Fantasy Characters of
Young Children: An Examination of Children's Beliefs in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny.
Moore, C. C. (1921). A Visit from St. Nicholas. Boston, MA: The Atlantic Monthly