Brayden Knowles, 2, greets Santa Claus, with brother Brynlie, 4, at The Plaza, King of Prussia Mall
Brayden Knowles, 2, greets Santa Claus, with brother Brynlie, 4, at The Plaza, King of Prussia Mall, United State's largest retail shopping space, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on December 6, 2014. The 2.7 million square feet shopping destination is owned by Simon Property Group. Picture taken December 6, 2014. REUTERS/Mark Makela

No child psychologist will advise you to tell lies to children. However, there is one lie that you tell your children that make them happy. You assure them that Santa Claus will visit them at Christmas and bring gifts to them while judging them on how well they have been throughout the year. Here are five reasons why you should continue to let children believe in Santa.

Imagination

If you want to gift anything to your children, let it be imagination. All the child psychologists will probably agree on one thing that imagination is a significant part of a child's growing up. When you tell your children that Santa will come while they are asleep, their imagination flies to figure out someone they have never met and probably never will. "I don't think it's a bad thing for kids to believe in the myth of someone trying to make people happy if they're behaving," LiveScience quoted Lenox Hill Hospital child psychiatrist Dr Matthew Lorber from New York City. "Imagination is a normal part of development, and helps develop creative minds."

Culture

Santa is a part of the Christian culture which celebrates the Christmas in grandeur. The Christmas fantasy adds more charm to the holiday events. Santa is not a separate entity but a small part of the bigger celebration. The glittering lights and the snow make way for the flying reindeer, elves on the shelves and the bearded old man sliding down the fireplace.

Values

Santa may not be a Christian icon, but the idea of giving gifts to the poor and the needy is a universal act of kindness. When children believe in Santa, they also believe in kindness. They believe that good things happen to good people. If they remain disciplined throughout the year, they believe that Santa will come and reward them with gifts. When they find some less fortunate people who cannot afford to buy gifts, you can say that Santa could not come to them as he was busy. Your children can become Santa for them instead and share or buy gifts.

Truth

Another reason why you should allow your children to believe in Santa is because he is real. At least the Santa Claus myth is based on truth. St. Nicholas was real and he was famous for giving money and gifts to the poor. According to Lorber, the "real story" teaches "real value" to the children who feel inspired.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au