Why it's GOOD your child is scared of Santa: Kids who cry when they meet Santa Claus are developing stranger danger awareness
- Taking a picture with Santa is supposed to be a joyous time for any child
- But kids who are too terrified to meet the mean, are developing a good sign
- An occupational therapist described the emotions as a natural sign of fear
He's known as the merry old man who always puts a smile on everyone's faces.
And taking a picture on Santa Claus' lap is supposed to be a festive and joyous time for any child - but judging by the looks on these youngster's faces, they're having the fright of their lives.
However, children who are too terrified to meet the jolly many in red, are developing a positive sign of stranger danger awareness, a senior occupational therapist has revealed.
Children who are too terrified to meet Santa Claus are developing a good and natural fear of strangers
Taking a picture on Santa's lap is supposed to be a festive time for anyone - but one toddler started crying when he got his photo taken with the jolly man in red
With stream of tears or ghoulish stares on the little faces, Mandy Seyfang from South Australia's Department of Education and Childhood Development has described the emotions as a natural fear.
'To have that natural fear of the stranger, of Father Christmas, of Santa, is really a good sign for your children,' she told 891 ABC Adelaide.
She said children normally start to develop fears of strangers from the age of six months and could last until they begin school.
'The child that continues to scream and be distressed way after the experience is over, there might be other things that are going on for that child as well,' she said.
Youngsters who are too terrified to meet the jolly many in red, are developing a positive sign of stranger danger awareness, a senior occupational therapist has revealed
Children normally develop fears of strangers from the age of six months and could last until they begin school
Ms Seyfang said the best way for parents to ensure their children are in a safe environment with the merry old man is to sit with them during the photo.
'Children work out if something is safe or not at that age by looking for the parent to support them in that,' she told the radio station.
'Often what we are trying to do in this time of development is give them reassurance that if I'm here and I am saying that it's OK, then you can actually develop confidence for going to the stranger.'
Senior occupational therapist Mandy Seyfang described the emotions as a natural sign of fear of strangers
Ms Seyfang warned parents not to pretend they have their own fear of the white-bearded man as it could lead to worse things in the long run
She has also warned parents not to pretend they have their own fear of the white-bearded man as it could lead to worse things in the long run.
'The idea that mummy's frightened and the child has to look after the parent is sort of topsy-turvy, and for the child that can be quite scary to think that the parent needs support from a very young child, so I'm not sure that that's necessarily a helpful way to go,' she said.
Ms Seyfang said the best approach is to remain calm in front of the child and not incite any signs of fears into the hearts of the youngsters.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mandy Seyfang for further comment.
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