My first reaction upon reading the first post is, well, it's a catchy song! Sozlet loves it too. But looks like Mo has a specific content-based reaction to it. (Sozlet doesn't, that I know of.)
We're kind of magical realist around here, we don't have totally explicit barriers between fiction and nonfiction. So the Santa conversation hasn't really come up -- he's in the same category as Rudolph or Frosty or Clifford the Big Red Dog. She'll get excited if she sees someone wearing a Clifford suit -- "Look, it's Clifford!!!!" -- and she'll get excited if she sees someone wearing a Santa suit, while seeming to know that neither is REALLY Clifford or Santa, and an extra layer of knowing that Clifford and Santa probably don't REALLY exist, though they're nice to think about and deserve affection.
We've never really done the thing of Santa brings presents; when we talked about it this year, something from her about "maybe Santa will bring me..." I just shrugged and said "Sure, maybe" the same way I say "Sure, maybe" when she suggests that a dragon might show up at our door and take her for a spin.
We have said that the contents of stockings have been from Santa, but haven't really pressed the point.
We got a bunch of good literature from her preschool this year, will excerpt some of it:
Quote:Fours
4's can tell you a lot about "what people do at Christmas" based on their own family experience; they look forward to things with passion and exuberance. They like adventure and novelty, so this is the perfect year to begin taking them to children's plays or concerts, allowing special events to nestle into their routines. Many parents struggle with the way that 4's are about gifts: they want everything! They make long gift lists and will discuss it at length with anyone who's interested. They are acting their age. It helps to just allow the fantasy, let them look at catalogs and pretend with them what it would be like if they could have everything. Know that your own modeling of "Christmas spirit" will influence them as they grow. 4's enjoy the Santa story, love leaving cookies and singing Santa songs. They may begin to notice there are lots of Santas and ask questions.
Strategies:
Give clear information about what they can expect with rpesents, and then allow the fantasy of wanting everything. For example: "In this family children get one big present and some other presents", or "think about the three things you want the most, and in our family everyone always gets some books for Christmas." On Christmas day, or whenever you open presents, 4's need help slowing down, and are likely to rip through everything quickly. You can slow them down by taking turns opening, breaking presents with breakfast or outside play, or just by helping them move more slowly. Many 4's benefit from some active outdoor play to help run off their boundless energy.
Fives"
Gives tend to be more self-contained than fours, and enjoy participating in family traditions. They may now really have some stamina for shopping, and enjoy choosing gifts for family members. They like to look at decorations, and understand now that someone had to put them there! Fives usually love holiday "projects" like decorating cards, making place cards for a meal, paper chains for the tree etc. Fives begin to understand that there are cultural differences and differences between families, and enjoy exploring what other people do for Christmas.
Even though at 4 children wanted "everything", it is at 5 that children are more likely to be disappointed if they don't receive something they really want. It's important to call their list a "wish list" and to try to find out what the few things are that they want most. Fives believe in Santa Claus, so need some good information about what Santa might bring.
StrategiesFives may seem so much more capable and mature that it's easy to forget that they are still younga nd can be overstimulated. Home and family are important to fives, and too much time away or out of routine is hard for them. Fives like to feel that they are contributing to the family Christmas, so letting go of perfection to let them participate in decorating and other tasks will be a wonderful gift to them.
Ouch. All retyped, please forgive typos.
I included 4 and 5 'cause he's really in-between.
More good stuff, I'll find it and see if there's anything eminently quotable.
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