- Last year, she got generous and ordered her sonSanta Claus at home - recalls Julia. - Mitya was two years old, I thought she would be happy madly. And then Frost came in - Mitya at the armchair immediately. He asked him to read the poem - Mitya burst into tears ... The story, let's say, standard. Why are children afraid of Santa Claus? Let's try to figure it out.
Came nowhere, went nowhere
A photo: frame from the movie "Bad Santa - 2" Remember how Santa Claus appears on the New Year tree? First you have to call him loudly and loudly, and this is a lot of fun. And then it becomes no time for laughter - for a few seconds the deathly silence reigns. The light turns on, and out of nowhere appears a big bearded old man. With the loud "Oho-ho!" Bypasses the hall, waving his staff. This is not every day you see, right? It is not surprising that when they first meet with Santa Claus, children often fall into a stupor and may even cry. Therefore, do not rush to call the old man home until the baby has passed fear for strangers. Remember: everything has its time. Child psychologist Ekaterina Pavlenkova:
- This is a normal defensive reaction to strangers. Talk about Grandfather Frost in advance, read poems and tales about him. Choose picture books to show what it looks like. Include cartoons about him so that the kid knows how this character behaves. Personally, I like “Santa Claus and Summer” - there is a completely charming main character.
By clothes they meet
Photo: dom-dm.ruPsychologists conducted a study to find out why children might be afraid of Father Frost. One of the main reasons is his appearance. Children are frightened by the old man's tall stature, his unusual bright fur coat, long beard and wide white eyebrows. He talks and laughs loudly. He also has a big stick in his hands, which he constantly bangs on the floor. Little ones are not used to carnival costumes - unless mom and dad wear them all the time. - Once we got to some kind of low-quality Christmas tree, - my friend Olesya complains. - The old man was tipsy, laughed out of place and said some stupid things. And Snegurochka was already over forty, my son could not believe that she was Father Frost's granddaughter ... Hence the advice: go to trusted places for the holiday and call only professional artists to your home. The real Father Frost will find an approach to any child, and his cheeks and nose will not be smeared with red lipstick.
Have you been a good boy, Petya?
Santa Claus constantly demands something from children:Dance, sing a song, dance around the Christmas tree... It's good if the child is an extrovert! But shy children feel awkward at the party, hide behind a chair or don't leave their mother's side. Then parents should set a good example - go out and dance with the baby. Sometimes Santa Claus asks the child if he or she behaved well last year. Having answered "yes", Petya or Vasya gets a gift - a standard scenario. But sometimes the program fails, the child becomes withdrawn and upset. And all because a month before the New Year, the parents told Vasya: "Santa Claus sees everything. If you behave badly, he won't give you anything!" Remember, aren't you guilty of this?
Tell me a poem!
Photo:still from the film "Morozko" - Last year, my daughter and I learned five poems for the matinee, - Marina recalls. - But as soon as she approached Father Frost and saw a crowd of parents in the hall, she immediately forgot everything! That's why in nurseries the New Year's matinee is held without parents, and Father Frost is played by a woman, so that the children are not afraid of a rough male voice. At least, that's how it was with my daughter in kindergarten. Then I remembered the advice of the teacher, which I will share with you: if a child came out to recite a poem, but was embarrassed and silently moved his lips, still clap for him and praise him. There is no need to reproach him: "Why are you so modest!" and compare him with other children: "Look how well Masha told it!" The New Year's tree is not a talent competition, but a kind holiday at which everyone should feel comfortable. Also interesting:
