Parents have always worried about what they teach their children, and the stories they’re telling have sparked concern in recent years. Many parents are afraid that the gory Brothers Grimm stories are too much for their kids to handle and have refrained from telling them classic tales like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella. However, there’s no need to filter the stories they’re taking in; studies prove that fairy tales are beneficial to their development.

Fairy tales create a common ground for people to connect. There are different versions of them all across the globe, with similar themes emerging in almost every culture. Just about everyone has read a story with the gist of Rapunzel, even if they’ve never read the most popular version. Nowadays, it can be hard to find something grandparents and children can relate to, but when every generation has read fairy tales, it gets a little easier to connect.

Stories are way more than just a bit of entertainment. They’re lessons, packed up in an easier way for young children to understand. Sometimes, when kids hear what they’re supposed to do, they’ll make an effort to do the exact opposite. When morals are hidden in fairy tales, it’s easier for them to digest and doesn’t inspire them to act out. In fact, fairy tales increase children’s motivation, giving them a healthier way to spend their energy. Kids everywhere have played as princesses and dragons, creating their own adventures in their dollhouses or backyards. 

These fairy tales that are read at bedtime are incredibly important for imagination and creativity, and more than that, a moral compass. Values that were once important centuries ago are still relevant today, such as not trusting strangers. They allow children to explore differences, even normalizing things like being mute. Fairy tales have benefited children for centuries, and there’s a reason they’ve maintained their popularity for so long. They’re a fun and entertaining way to teach children morals, how the world works, and allows them to grow imaginatively.

Sources

Deccan Herald. “Fairy tales teach kids morality.” 14 March 2011. https://www.deccanherald.com/content/145801/fairy-tales-teach-kids-morality.html Accessed 28 April 2021. 

Packer, Laura. “Why we need fairy tales.” National Storytelling Network. 12 February 2013. https://storynet.org/why-we-need-fairy-tales/#:~:text=Fairy%20tales%20help%20us%20understand,different%20from%20our%20values%20now.&text=Fairy%20tales%20help%20us%20break,wonder%20in%20our%20own%20lives Accessed 28 April 2021.