Now before you call me a Scrooge and say I have no Christmas
spirit, let me first say that I DO indeed love Christmas and all the traditions
that go along with it.
It’s just that I’ve been seeing way too many “Elf on the
Shelf” dolls being used in the classroom setting! When I first heard this I
thought, “Is she nuts? You can’t do that in the classroom!” But more and more I’m
seeing this happen, and I just can’t keep my mouth shut anymore. So, here are
my reasons why the Elf on the Shelf does NOT belong in the classroom…
Reason 1: The Elf is a FAMILY tradition
Christmas time is filled with many
traditions that are unique to each family and allow them to create lifelong
memories. I still remember baking cookies every year as we decorated the tree,
and although we’re both in our twenties, my sister and I still wear matching
pajamas on Christmas Eve. And even when we were far too big, my mom would still
make the entire family pile into the car to drive around and look at Christmas lights.
The car would be filled with complaints… “She’s sitting on me!” “Get your elbow
out of my side!” “Are we there yet?” “I can’t see!” “Stop breathing on me!” …But
when we got to the display of lights, everyone would shut up, the car would
slow down, and we would just be together as a family looking at displays of
jumping reindeer and little elves working on toys.
Reason 2: The Elf is not Effective Classroom Management
If you need the Elf to make your students
behave, then you do NOT have effective classroom management strategies in
place. If you DO already have effective (and appropriate) management strategies
in place, then you are undermining those routines that you have worked so hard all
year long to establish.
The Elf is there to report to Santa if the
child is behaving themselves enough to deserve presents. So, if the child is
exhibiting good behavior, it is because they either are working towards getting
presents, or they are in fear of not getting presents. Is this how we want our children
raised? How about instilling a little intrinsic value behind kindness? In the real
world, you are kind to people because it makes the other person feel all warm
and fuzzy inside, and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy too… not because you’re
going to get something in return. I want my children working towards those warm
fuzzies, not more STUFF.
Reason 3: It's Just Kinda... Creepy!
I mean think about it… “You better behave because
the Elf is watching!” The idea that someone is watching you all the time IS
KINDA CREEPY!
Not to mention that this brings back the
point of WHY is the child being nice? Remember the old saying that you should “do
the right thing even when no one is looking”? Let’s give our kids a chance to
practice that without a doll watching their every move.
Reason 4: Parents May Not be Okay With It
I know many parents that choose NOT to use
the Elf on the Shelf. They may have a million different reasons why they make
that choice, but the point is that they’ve made a decision for their family.
The Elf is a Christmas tradition- there are
many people who don’t want that celebrated in school. The majority of parents
are okay with teaching about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa in the classroom,
and many appreciate the little crafts and activities that we do. However, I
feel the Elf is toeing the line just a little too much. It’s a weird world that
we live in today where teachers are always having to cover themselves and be
P.C., so why invite trouble (literally) into your classroom?
Reason 5: Christmas is Not a Magical Time for Everyone
I’ve heard people say, “Oh, the Elf just
adds to the magic of Christmas! Christmas is such a magical time for children!”
My response to that: “WAKE UP!”
How about a little reality check? In the US
there are over 1.1 million homeless K-12 students. Let me repeat that for you:
Over 1 MILLION kids don’t have a HOME! Do you think they’re getting much for
Christmas this year? Or what about the students that do have a home, but only because
someone is working very hard to make ends meet? Over 20 per cent (that’s 1 in
5) of children under the age of 18 are living at or below the poverty level.
Don't believe me? Read this. And this.How many presents do you think will be under their tree? (Or will they even
have a tree?)
This is NOT a magical time for everyone. For
some, it’s a reminder of the tough circumstances they face every day. So
suppose little Susie behaves herself in front of the Elf, and on Christmas
morning she wakes up and finds little to no gifts? Is Susie to believe that she
just wasn’t good enough to be put on the nice list?
Reason 6: Not Everyone "Does Santa"
There are many reasons that a family might
choose not to do the whole “Santa thing.” Maybe they focus more on the
religious aspect of Christmas. Perhaps they are of a different religion or
culture than you. Or maybe, just maybe they *gasp* don’t like the idea of
Santa.
But WHY wouldn’t someone like Santa? He’s a
jolly old fellow and the Elf is just his scout!
Well, look at it like this: the Elf watches
your behavior and reports back to Santa to determine if you should be on the “Naughty”
or “Nice” list. If you are nice, you will get presents! If you are naughty, you
get nothing! So if little Susie doesn’t get much for Christmas, does that mean
she’s naughty? And when little Tommy gets more gifts than he can count, does
that mean he’s been nice? No and no. Maybe Susie’s mom is working two jobs to
pay the electric bill and doesn’t have an extra hundred bucks for that Furby
that she so desperately wants. And maybe Tommy is a little spoiled brat. The
idea behind Santa is very black and white as children see it, and we live in a
world with a lot of gray area.
Reason 7: That's Not the True Meaning of Christmas
So suppose that you teach in a lovely little
school in Dreamville where all the families are happy, stable, and
well-financed. Everyone celebrates Christmas, and Santa comes to everyone’s
house on Christmas Eve. Parents have no problem with Elf on the Shelf in the classroom
at all! You still should keep him out, and here’s why:
America is getting further and further from
the true meaning of Christmas and we’re being sucked deeper and deeper into the
pit that is commercialism. We are putting way too much focus on gifts, and the
Elf is just contributing to this. (Now hold on… I’m not saying the Elf is at
fault here. I’m just saying that he’s a byproduct of commercialism and NOT what
Christmas is all about.)
How about we teach our kids the TRUE meaning
of Christmas? Now for Christians, this is a time of celebration because Jesus
was born to be our Savior. For many, Christmas is a time for family and being
with the ones you love. It’s a time of giving and gathering. Let’s focus on
that.