From The Boy Who Cried Wolf to Ant and the Grasshopper, all these fairy tales constituted an integral part of everyone’s childhood. You will hardly find anyone who has never heard a single fairy tale in their lifetime.
Stories are an inevitable part of anyone’s childhood. Those could be stories of either Cinderella, Panchatantra, or even both. Such stories are passed down as legacy because of the timeless life lessons they delivered in the simplest yet impactful manner.
While people might treat narrating stories like any other form of recreation, these stories do leave their magic in real life as well. While the tales could differ, they share the common motive of leaving a positive, long-lasting impression on children’s minds. Their ability to touch multiple aspects crucial for a child’s development, like the ones stated below, makes fairy tales important.
5 Reasons Why Fairy Tales Are Important For Your Child
1. Inculcating Values and Moral Development
No matter what the archetype is, fairy tales end up engagingly delivering impactful lessons without many diversions from the real world.
The struggle between good and bad, how everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, day-to-day personal hardships, and emotional dilemmas are all intended to equip children with the situations they will face in the real world.
The stories are developed in such a way that they end up signifying the importance of kindness, patience, unity, and the list goes on. They always emphasize doing good deeds and how it always conquers evil.
These stories reinforce the idea that there are always healthy ways to tackle all sorts of problems.
2. Sensory and Cognitive Development
The book ‘The Uses of Enchantment’ by Bruno Bettelheim states that children exposed to fairy tales tend to have better concentration and listening abilities, longer attention span, stronger memory, enriched vocabulary, and have a better grasp of the language.
Stories penetrate much deeper into the minds of children than one can imagine. Fairy tales are easy to comprehend, and children get a better understanding of the culture and society around them.
Children are deliberately made to familiarize themselves with multiple emotions like happiness, anger, grief, jealousy, disgust, etc., so that they get aware of various feelings, both positive and negative.
3. Promotes Equality
Fairy tales are very well adept at illustrating the importance of respecting all beings, appreciating physical diversity, and putting everyone on the same pedestal, something that is absent in the real world.
For instance, dwarfs and animals are often given inferior treatment, whereas in stories like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, they were shown as vital components of the entire story.
Similarly, the idea behind introducing animals as some lead characters and giving them analogous voices and emotions like humans is usually intended to teach children that one should treat them equally and empathize with all beings.
4. Fosters Creativity and Boosts Imagination
Fairy tales indeed sow the seeds of imagination, which initiates creative thinking abilities. Curiosity, being a by-product of stories, give rise to multiple questions and assumptions in kids.
Even Albert Einstein emphasized the creative benefits of narrating storytelling.
If you want children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales; if you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.
– Albert Einstein
This pretty much sums up the relevance of storytelling. They are a proven way to enhance children’s problem-solving and critical reasoning skills.
Recommended reading: Fairy Tales Lie
5. Strengthens Social and Family Bonds
Fairy tales are incomplete without portraying bonds shared by two individuals. Those depictions serve as a relationship blueprints. They help children better understand the various bonds around them, including that of siblings, friends, parent-child, etc. This eventually makes the process of socialization easier for them.
Additionally, narrating stories to children significantly bridges the emotional gap between parent and child.
Tips for Choosing Fairytales for Kids
Now that we have established the importance of fairytales for children, here are some tips for choosing fairytales books for children.
1. Age Appropriateness
Consider the age of your child when selecting fairytales. Look for stories that are suitable for their developmental stage and emotional maturity. Younger children may enjoy simple, lighthearted tales, while older children can handle more complex narratives.
2. Positive Messages
Look for fairytales that promote positive values and life lessons. Choose stories that teach kindness, courage, empathy, and other important virtues. Avoid tales that reinforce negative stereotypes or promote harmful behavior.
3. Cultural Diversity
Explore fairytales from different cultures and backgrounds. Expose your child to stories that celebrate diversity and introduce them to various traditions and perspectives. This helps broaden their worldview and fosters inclusivity.
4. Strong Characters
Seek out fairytales with strong and empowered characters, particularly female protagonists. Look for stories that challenge traditional gender roles and showcase characters who are independent, resourceful, and capable of overcoming obstacles.
5. Moral Dilemmas
Choose fairytales that present moral dilemmas or ethical challenges. These stories encourage critical thinking and provide opportunities for discussions about right and wrong, decision-making, and the consequences of actions.
6. Ageless Themes
Select fairytales with timeless themes that resonate with children across generations. Themes like love, friendship, bravery, and perseverance can inspire and engage children while imparting important life lessons.
7. Engaging Storytelling
Look for well-crafted narratives that capture your child’s imagination. Choose fairytales with engaging plots, rich descriptions, and captivating language. This helps develop their love for storytelling and enhances their language skills.
8. Positive Endings
Consider fairytales that have positive and hopeful endings. Children often find comfort in stories where good triumphs over evil and characters find happiness and fulfillment. However, ensure that the endings are not overly simplistic or unrealistic.
9. Adapted Versions
If the original version of a fairytale contains content that might be too dark or intense for young children, seek out adapted versions or retellings that are more age-appropriate. Many classic tales have been rewritten or modified to suit different audiences.
10. Interactive Elements
Look for fairytales that encourage interaction and participation. Choose books with beautiful illustrations, interactive elements, or opportunities for your child to engage with the story through activities or discussions.
11. Personal Interests
Consider your child’s interests and preferences when selecting fairytales. If they are fascinated by animals, look for stories with animal characters. If they enjoy adventure, choose tales with exciting quests or journeys.
12. Quality Literature
Opt for well-written and well-illustrated fairytales. Seek recommendations from trusted sources such as librarians, educators, or reputable book review websites. Quality literature enhances the reading experience and ensures your child is exposed to excellent storytelling.
By following these tips, you can select fairytales that entertain, educate, and inspire your child. Reading these magical stories together will create lasting memories and foster a love for literature in their young minds.
Conclusion
Thus, narrating fairy tales is a proven way of holistic development of children. Stories make complex concepts easier to grasp in both conscious and subconscious ways. Several researches assert that fairy tales serve as fuel in a child’s psychological, social and mental development. Therefore, making fairy tales an essential part of children’s lives becomes important.
Summary: Why Fairy Tales Are Important
