Do 12 year olds still believe in Santa?

The Age Most Kids Figure It Out
In most cases, eight or nine is the age that children stop believing in Santa, but not for the reasons you'd think. While most parents would probably blame their child's peers for blowing the whistle, it actually has more to do with the normal development of a child's brain.


Is it OK for a 12 year old to still believe in Santa?

"It's not an overnight shift in thinking," says Laura Lamminen, Ph. D., a pediatric psychologist at Children's Health℠, "and there's no set age where children should know the truth about Santa Claus." Dr. Lamminen says each family and each child within that family will be ready to talk about Santa at different ages.

At what age do children stop believing in Santa?

A study from 1978 found that about 85 percent of young American kids believe in Santa, and researchers today confirm those numbers still hold true, with many kids believing until about age eight.


Do 13 year olds still believe in Santa?

Because Santa is synonymous with childhood, the belief in him must go away at one point or another if we want our kids to grow up. There's no specific age, necessarily. No edict that at exactly 11 3/4, a child will cease to believe.

Should you tell your 11 year old about Santa?

There isn't a right or wrong age to tell kids the truth

And it occurs to them that flying reindeer and a guy coming down the chimney might be a little far fetched. So don't be surprised if your child starts asking questions.


Parents Explain to Their Kids Santa Isn't Real | Cut



Is 13 too old to believe in Santa?

"There is no such thing as being too old to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy," Kelman tells Yahoo Life. "Letting kids figure it out on their own is preferable to parents breaking the news to them.

What age do you tell kids Santa isn't real?

While everyone is different, according to a recent poll by House Method, the average age kids in the United States stop believing in Santa Claus is 8.5 years. So, chances are good that somewhere around then is the right age for your child to learn the true story about Santa Claus.

Is it OK not to believe in Santa?

The first good news is that Santa Claus does not really care about what you or your children believe, and he will not be upset and will not punish you if you don't believe in him. So there is no harm in not believing.


Should I let my kid believe in Santa?

So, what are the benefits? Research on the benefit of believing in Santa Claus is sparse, but there is research indicating that there are benefits of having a vivid imagination. Believing in impossible beings like Santa Claus or flying reindeer might also exercise children's counterfactual reasoning skills.

Is Santa real or is it your parents?

Santa is real in the sense that he was an actual person. Otherwise known as Saint Nicholas, his story goes all the way back to the 3rd century. He was a monk who was born in 280 A.D. in modern-day Turkey. As an only child, he was given great affection by his parents.

What is the average age kids find out about Santa?

“Children's belief in Santa starts when they're between 3 and 4 years old. It's very strong when they're between about 4 and 8,” she said. “Then, at 8 years old is when we start to see the drop-off in belief, when children start to understand the reality of Santa Claus.”


What to say when kid asks if Santa is real?

If you think your child has it all figured out, it's a good idea to be truthful. For instance, you could explain that Saint Nicholas was, in fact, a real person from long ago. He was known for leaving presents for the children in his village and for caring for the less fortunate.

How do I tell my 13 year old about Santa?

10 Ways To Tell Your Child The Truth About Santa
  1. 10/10 Tell Them About Everyone at Once.
  2. 9/10 Explain the Magic of Christmas.
  3. 8/10 Offer To Still Label Gifts From Santa.
  4. 7/10 Tell Them the Story of When You Found Out.
  5. 6/10 Have Older Kids in the Family Talk With Them After.
  6. 5/10 Find a Book or Movie First.


Is elf on the shelf real?

And for all intents and purposes, the Elf on the Shelf is real. It's a real doll, after all. The real question is, though, do you think the Elf on the Shelf is real? And I'm here to tell you that, yes, it is.


Why it's ok to believe in Santa?

It also provides opportunities for shared belief and play, reliving and sharing childhood memories, and encouraging empathy, kindness and generosity. Believing in Santa Claus can also benefit children's development as an avenue for creativity, imagination and play.

Is it OK to lie to kids about Santa?

While there are many benefits to protecting children's belief in Santa, it's not OK to lie to children about his existence. Discovering the truth about Santa is part of growing up and a sign that the child is developing critical thinking skills.

Why do we make kids believe in Santa?

Science says children are learning important lessons and helping their brain development by believing in Santa. Additionally, with the increasing use of technology among younger and younger children, parents are finding they have to deal with some form of the question much earlier than they might have planned.


What to do when your child stops believing in Santa?

Once your child stops believing in the man in the big red coat, invite them to be part of the tradition and to play the Santa role. The transition from believing in Santa to being a Santa helps to avoid any issues with sharing the news with other kids who aren't ready to hear it.

Is Santa Claus real in 2022?

Santa is real. The origins of Santa Claus also referred to as Saint Nicholas, date all the way back to the third century. He was a monk born in modern-day Turkey in the year 280 AD. Being the only child, his parents showed him a lot of love.

How do you explain Santa without lying?

5 Brilliant Ways To Explain Santa Without Lying
  1. IS IT WRONG TO LIE ABOUT SANTA? ...
  2. 5 WAYS TO EXPLAIN SANTA WITHOUT LYING.
  3. OPTION 1: WAIT UNTIL THEY STOP BELIEVING ON THEIR OWN. ...
  4. OPTION 2: THROW THE QUESTION BACK TO THEM. ...
  5. OPTION 3: GIVE OR READ THEM THIS PRINTABLE SCRIPT. ...
  6. OPTION 4: LET THEM IN ON THE SECRET.


Has Santa ever been seen?

Over the years, children all over the world have reported sightings of the real Santa Claus—not department store Santas or bell-ringing Salvation Army charity collectors, but the real thing. Some even claim they saw Saint Nick's sleigh and reindeer.

What is Santa doing right now 2022?

Santa and his reindeer have wrapped up their Christmas journey for 2022 after delivering more than 7.6 billion gifts, according to NORAD's Santa Tracker. WASHINGTON — Santa Claus has wrapped up his journey this year to deliver presents to homes across the globe.

Is Santa still alive Yes or no?

Nicholas died in A.D. 343 and was interred at St. Nicholas church in Demre, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. In 1087, apparently, merchants dug up his bones and smuggled them to the Italian city of Bari, the Telegraph reported. It's still a holy site, visited by Christians paying homage to St.


Did Santa ever have kids?

Claus almost never have children in any of their many depictions, there is at least one Christmas Burlesque musical from 1892 that features Kitty Claus, the daughter of Santa.

When did Santa dies?

Nicholas - Wikipedia

died, it was on 6th December in either 343 (which seems to be the most probable), 345 or 352. In 1087, his bones were stolen from Turkey by some Italian merchant sailors. The bones are now kept in the Church named after him in the Italian port of Bari.