With Christmas just right around the corner and Santa Claus being days away from traveling the world and delivering gifts, many of us parents inevitably start wondering whether or not we should partake in encouraging our little ones to believe in the imaginative story of Santa Claus. 

What good can come out of encouraging your little ones' imaginations from running wild? Well, stories like Santa Claus that foster imagination helps develop their creativity, self-confidence, and empathy skills! 

Recommended Christmas Content to Spark Your Little One's Imagination

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 

2. Elf Pets: A Fox Club’s Christmas Tale 

3. Elf Pets: A Reindeer Tradition

Though oftentimes we correlate imagination with little kids, these abilities to be imaginative are essential for success in the real world. Being imaginative allows an individual to improve their creative problem-solving skills, as they are more likely to generate solutions that deviate from the standard way of thinking. They are more likely to take risks and think outside the box, as imagination requires creativity. 

When a kid can imagine their future, they are also more likely to put in the effort to help them progress toward their imagined future self. 

One of the easiest ways to help improve their empathy skills is by reading books and stories such as the one famously known by all, Santa Claus. Immersing yourself in these storybooks will challenge your kiddos to take on the perspective of the characters within the story. They will learn how to adapt the lens of others and understand that each situation can elicit a different emotion in different individuals. Over time, these repeated exposures to viewing the world from a different perspective will allow these skills to become second nature to them. 

The Science of Storytelling 

Here at MEandMine, we understand the importance of storytelling and the positive impact it has on our little ones and their development. Our teams continuously strive to create stories that activate more brain cells and enhance learning. As kids learn about their favorite squads in the story, they also learn how to overcome challenges. 

Isn't that what all parents want for their little ones? To set them up with skills that will allow them to thrive in the real world? So next time you worry about the disappointment your little ones may feel when they discover the truth behind how the presents underneath their Christmas tree got there, remember what Einstein once said.  "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress and giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research." 

Additional Resources:

Check out some of MEandMine’s stories read aloud