Teacher telling 7yo that Father Christmas not real

[Peaceandquietandacuppa]

Is it reasonable for a RE teacher to tell 7 year olds that Father Christmas isn’t real?

My 7 year old DS has just told me that his RE teacher told the class Father Christmas “isn’t real” today. He isn’t one to over-exaggerate. I asked if any of the kids prompted it by asking and he said no, she just said it.

If you think it’s unreasonable, would you say anything to the school?

YABU - teachers are fine to say FC is not real at the age of 7

YANBU - let the kids / parents decide if FC is real. Just don’t say anything!

@Tessabelle74 some RE teachers may have a faith, others may not. Sometimes teachers get lumbered with teaching it because it's their turn, nobody else to do it, covering, etc. The RE teacher at DS2's (non religious) school is Muslim, but she's not going round telling the kids they have to convert to Islam or only Allah is real and other gods aren't.

Says who?
Many RE teachers aren't religious themselves, and even if they are they have to teach about a wide range of faiths, without pushing any.

Father Christmas is real, or at least St Nicholas was. Gods however, not so much.

What do people think is a good "fudging it" response from a teacher if a child asks?

As a trainee teacher this did happen to me in the middle of a completely random lesson, nothing to do with Christmas or religion. I said, "does anyone have any questions?" and a child (also 7) stuck their hand up and said, "Is Father Christmas real?" - it was obviously on their mind! I completely panicked internally, blurted out, "Yes!" and then swiftly moved on. Fortunately I didn't get any follow up questions or have to justify my response at any point.

I feel like any other response is basically a no, or else invites a lot more discussion. But if anyone has any ideas, let me know!

If y'all are sending your kids to Christian schools and then complaining they prioritise Christianity in religious education then I don't know what to say other than change schools, if you aren't Christian and object to them being taught Christian beliefs. Ironically, the origin of Father Christmas is Christian. The idea that he is an actual real figure that comes down chimneys and leaves presents is a cultural embellishment.

There is also a very big difference @MonkeyToHeaven between teaching the origin story of Father Christmas (ie St Nicholas) and actually talking about him as "real".

I have no issues with people doing the Santa thing with their kids, I just don't think anyone has a leg to stand on when the bubble is burst, either accidentally or on purpose. Most of us learned at some stage during our childhoods, if we did believe in Santa, that he was not real, and I'm assuming that did not cause lasting damage!

It is a big thing when you do believe and someone spoils it for you just before Christmas.

Exactly.
Even if you've never done the whole 'Father Christmas' thing you are an absolute dick if you think it's appropriate to tell a young child who does believe the truth just before Christmas

There's a huge difference between finding out accidentally or just figuring it out and an adult purposefully telling you it's all a lie.

I agree it would be crappy to go out of your way to "ruin" someone's child's belief in Santa, but we don't really know the context in OP's case. It depends how it actually came to be said, and what was actually said. Honestly, I'd find it very difficult to lie if directly asked, and kids often see through fudged answers.

That's not what Religious Education is. It teaches about multiple various religions around the world. It's not "God exists and this religion is correct", it's "Today we will learn about what Hindus believe". My daughter has learned about Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, so far in primary. It's not taught as fact, it's taught that people who follow a certain religion believe in these things.

They really won't!

I think in that situation my answer would be “I meant any questions about ___”.

Generally, I think the safest thing to do is to talk about people having different beliefs and that some people don’t even celebrate Christmas.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/dec/14/primary-school-children-left-in-tears-after-vicar-tells-them-santa-isnt-real

He wasn't a teacher and should have kept his mouth shut.

I think you should complain it’s not her place to say things like that.

I complained about one who try to tell my DD that the Easter story was real. We spent the weekend researching human health conditions that could explain the resurrection story elements.

Fair enough explain different religions and how faith is a part of the fabric of human society but do not push your religious views onto others.

Yes I was going to comment on this story- he has had to apologise.

Seven is still quite little. And it didn't matter is he was 7 or 17, it isn't a teacher's place to tell him Santa isn't real.

Why on earth would Santa be in their bedroom?! He puts presents under the tree, in the living room or family room or whenever you keep it.

@steff13 many children have a stocking or sack at the end of the bed which Santa fills.

That's so creepy.

@steff13 what are your thoughts on the tooth fairy?

The kids were ten and eleven!!! I cannot believe there are parents who let it drag on this long. He just saved them from being mocked at secondary school, frankly.

I was told at age 8/9 by a teacher o was on boo-boo us up to this point .
Honestly I haven’t forgot the moment.
I mean …… just why would they ? They have no right.

Mine asked the class if they believe ld in Santa clause half out hand up other half didn’t then she proceeded to tell us all he wasn’t true and talk about st Nicolas

Imbusy, I remember when i was at school a teacher telling one child who mentioned Father Christmas that she was too old o be believing in that. We were aged 8/9. I have to say she was the only child in the class who did believe and it was a surprise. Your teacher was right to explain where the myth came from. It can all get out of hand.

The kids were ten and eleven!!! I cannot believe there are parents who let it drag on this long. He just saved them from being mocked at secondary school, frankly.

But it wasn't his decision to make. That's the point, not whether children still believe at that age.

Always sends a shiver down my spine on these threads how quick parents are to blindly believe everything their children tell them

Egged on by the COMPLAIN DONT STAND FOR IT SEE THE HEAD posse

Seven?! Yes! Infact my 10 year old still believes! Are kids not allowed to be kids anymore?!