NOTE: Our News and Views stories are contributed by readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor. 

A child who licked a pole in the cold faced a bone-chilling death but fortunately was rescued in Altai: In the village of Krasnogorskoye, a bailiff helped a child who licked a pole in the cold.

Bailiff Dmitry Ruf was rushing to work in the morning, heard a loud cry of a child and saw a little boy standing near a pole. Coming closer, the man noticed that his tongue was stuck to the pole.

The bailiff rushed to look for warm water and asked the boy not to try to free himself. By gradually pouring liquid on the child’s tongue, the man was able to save him from the icy captivity. The curious boy was not injured; the rescue operation took several minutes.

Earlier it was reported that in the village of Urengoy, Purovsky District, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, a child was hit by snow removal equipment after rolling down a hill; the victim could not be saved.

The regional Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on the incident; the circumstances of the accident are being established.

On a less sombre note: How to prepare children for a meeting with Santa Claus. Parents should warn actors about the high sensitivity of children, the psychologist noted.

Inviting Father Frost and Snow Maiden can be not only a joyful and magical event for a child but also a source of stress.

To avoid negative emotions and create a festive atmosphere, it is worth preparing for the visit in advance. Associate Professor of the Department of Labor Psychology and Consulting at the State University of Education Ekaterina Bulgakova shared recommendations on how best to organize this event.

The expert recommended getting the child interested in the upcoming event in advance. For example, you can write a letter to Santa Claus with an invitation and the desired gift together with the child.

For children aged three to five, it is worth starting to read New Year’s fairy tales and show cartoons in which these characters appear a few weeks before the visit. Occasional reminders of Santa’s visit will help your child prepare, but it’s important not to overdo it to keep the suspense alive.

Bulgakova noted that the best time for a visit is in the morning, starting at 11:00 when children are most alert and not yet tired.

However, she warned that children aged two to four years may be frightened by unfamiliar characters. To avoid this, it is important that the actors initially interact only with parents.

The child can be in the mother’s arms, which creates a sense of security for him. Once the baby gets used to it, you can allow him to begin communicating with the guests directly.

The specialist also advised warning the pretend Santas in advance if the child is highly sensitive. In this case, loud sounds, sudden movements and too vigorous tapping with a staff should be avoided.

Bulgakova emphasized that the child should not be forced to read poems to Father Frost – this should only be his own desire because the holiday should not turn into a test of the child’s abilities.

In addition, Bulgakova noted that a visit from a ‘home’ Santa Claus may be more comfortable for a small child. For example, a dad dressed in a suit will cause less anxiety in the child than invited actors. PLEASE HELP SANTA BY SHARING OUR STORIES

GREAT SAYINGS AND STORIES OF HISTORY Michael Walsh Compilation. A quiet room in a rustic cottage overlooking a pastoral scene who would you choose as your soul companion? Be inspired by hundreds of wise comments uttered by history’s greatest thinkers. LINK TO BOOK → LULU.COM  GREAT SAYINGS AND STORIES OF HISTORY   AMAZON.CO.UK