The Helpful Elf on the Shelf - The Potential Ability Group (TPAG)

December 18th, 2020Jemma LooyestynActivities & Ideas, Early Development, Emotions, Play & Socialising

Elf on the Shelf is vastly becoming a popular Christmas tradition in many households across the world. Some people love it, some people hate it. It typically comprises of parents very stealthily changing what the Elf is doing each night, so children can wake up to see what mischief he (or she) has been up to overnight. As you would have seen throughout various social media platforms, Elf on the Shelf can sometimes be perceived as a bit of a troublemaker… sometimes engaging in un-preferred behaviours such as covering the Christmas tree in toilet paper or hiding your favourite pair of shoes. Yikes!

The following blog provides some alternative activities to get Elf on the Shelf involved in at your home. These activities can support your child’s development, teach them some life lessons, and most importantly, improve their self-worth. Elf on the Shelf can:

Encourage random acts of kindness or practising gratitude. For example, leaving sticky notes or cards prompting your child to name three things they are grateful for that day or prompting them to think about a kind act they can do to help someone they care about smile.
Praise their efforts! Use Elf on the Shelf as a positive reinforcer for your child engaging in desired behaviours such as, “I love how you had a go at tying your shoelaces all by yourself!” or “Thanks for helping mum with the dishes, she is super happy about it”.
Be used as a role model for engaging in desired behaviours. For example, demonstrating putting clothes away, tidying up their toys, using their manners or playing nicely with their siblings.
Encourage and motivate your child to have a go at something they find challenging. For example, Elf can hold up a sign saying, “You can do this” or “I am so proud of you for having a try”.
Give your child challenges or problems they need to solve. For example, providing them with a treasure hunt list, obstacle course ideas or a word or social problem like “I am feeling sad, what could I do to cheer up?” or “My friends did not want to play with me today, what should I do?”.

To further support your child’s development, encourage your child to:

Write letters, cards, or sticky notes back to Elf on the Shelf telling him about their day, sharing what they are grateful for or proud of, or even giving Elf a compliment or some encouraging words to help him to keep being kind to others too.
Come up with challenges, questions, or games for the Elf to do.
Show the Elf their skills! Get them to show the Elf how great they are at cooking, drawing, reading, or helping others, for example.
Practice reading to the Elf.
Make clothes, props, or toys for the Elf to use.

Engaging in these activities can:

Improve your child’s self-worth and self-reflection skills.
Promote growth mindset.
Motivate them to engage in desired behaviours.
Encourage their independence.
Practice their social skills with others (working as a team, using manners, solving social problems).
Develop their emotional awareness and regulation skills.
Support problem solving, organisation, sequencing, and planning skills.
Support their gross and fine motor development (coordination, strength, endurance, grip, dexterity).
Provide them with opportunities to practise their handwriting.

The possibilities are endless! So why not try these helpful Elf on the Shelf activity ideas this Christmas time! We would love to see how you go and encourage you to let us know of any other wonderful, helpful Elf on the Shelf ideas you might have too. Merry Christmas!

References

Ranson, A 2013, Kindness Elves: An Alternative to Elf on the Shelf, accessed 15^th of December 2020, <https://theimaginationtree.com/alternative-elf-on-shelf-tradition-kindness-elf-kindness-elves/>.