Belief and Reality

While reading chapter nine this week the second topic I found interesting and important is the topic of a child's belief versus their reality. I personally find it fascinating that young children believe their beliefs to be reality. For example a lot of young children believe in Santa Clause and believe that he bring presents to children all around the world in one night. Most children also have the belief that this is everyone's belief as well, but in reality only children believe this idea. I also find it interesting that according to Berger, after the age of three children start to realize their reality is not everyone's reality. My question is why do children hold onto this belief for so long? Is it because they want to believe that it's true or because they just don't understand that it can't possibly be a logical occurrence. I remember when I found out that the Easter Bunny was not real, I realized Santa was not real at the same time, but up until that point, at round eight, I had no clue or even and idea that the Easter Bunny was just a made up story. Which leads me then to wonder why do we tell our children these stories only for them to get upset later in life when they realize it's not true, but just a deception? Is it because we are trying to comfort them? Or is there some other reason that we tell our children these stories?

Reference
Berger, K. S. (2011). The Developing Person Through the Life Span. New York: Worth Publishers.