Should families participate in Elf on the Shelf?ĭespite some controversies about the Elf on the Shelf, what seems more important are the motives behind it and the family's overall values and beliefs.įor instance, if the primary motive is to add more magic or tradition to the Christmas season for parents and their children, then the Elf on the Shelf might be a fun way to do this. Here it involves believing in the magic of the Elf or, even if there are doubts, simply wondering about the possibilities of the Elf coming to life and what it might do each night. Many others have a broader definition of imagination that includes pretending but does not require it. Some argue that imagination requires pretending, and to pretend that the Elf on the Shelf comes to life at night would require knowing that it does not actually do so. This depends on how "imagination" is defined. Many psychologists suggest that, like believing in Santa, participating in the Elf on the Shelf can foster creativity and imagination. One philosophy provides a compelling argument about the dangers of the Elf on the Shelf, namely that it is a lie, threatens the trustworthiness of parents, ultimately encourages gullibility in children rather than critical thinking and inadvertently teaches children that their behavior should be governed by potential rewards (i.e., gifts on Christmas). Westers, Psy.D., ABPP, a clinical psychologist at Children's Health℠ and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern, about the potential psychological impact of the Elf on the Shelf tradition. So, what considerations should parents consider when deciding if they will participate in the Elf on the Shelf? We asked Nicholas J. Many parents come up with fun and creative scenarios where they place the Elf, although other parents cringe at the concept. It then returns to the home to a different spot than the night before, but the child must not touch it, or it will lose its magic. When a child names the Elf, it magically comes to life each night between Thanksgiving and Christmas to report back to Santa about the child's behavior. The Elf on the Shelf, a toy based on a children's book published in 2005, is a fun and novel idea that many families have eagerly incorporated into their Christmas traditions. Resources for Transgender Youth and Their Families.Pediatric Clinical Trials & Experimental Medication.Nursing Transition to Practice Programs.
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