Kids instinctively know these stories aren’t literally true and that they represent inner conflict, which promotes a steadier psyche. Psychological Stability: Fairy tales speak to children uniquely at each stage of their development.Kids can deal with tough emotions by freely projecting their own violent feelings onto the evil characters while also relating to the main characters ( who are often also children who demonstrate pluck and triumph over evil adults). Emotional Processing: Because the characters in fairy tales represent and externalize so many of the deep feelings that children have, kids are better able to understand and process them.Emotional Resiliency: Fairy tales afford kids the chance to see that bad things happen to everyone, but within a safe ( fantastical) This is especially helpful since children aren’t yet able to think abstractly and this detachment from the real world into the realm of fantasy decreases the scariness factor for them.Problem Solving: Fairy tales are often filled with non-examples for our children to follow ( think of the first two brother pigs!), but it is through seeing these characters make poor choices that our little ones learn of better ways to handle problems in life.These tales don’t shy away from using precise and often figurative language, affording ample occasions to exponentially grow your child’s vocabulary. Vocabulary: You won’t find any of that simplistic “Dick and Jane” language here.Since the language of these stories is uncomplicated, it’s often easier for youngsters to comprehend the main points and strategies so often used in literature. Critical Thinking: Opportunities abound for practice with critical thinking skills.Exposure to them will help your preschooler extrapolate common themes across everything else they read! Cultural Literacy: As mentioned above, fairy tales are some of the best examples of story around.Dramatic Influence: Fairy tales are some of the best fodder for role-playing, plays, or child-designed puppet shows!.Generational Connection: Just like nursery rhymes ( see The Fabulous Benefits Nursery Rhymes Provide Your Child), fairy tales can bridge the generational gap between your kids and their grandparents by providing common stories for them to relate to.Culture: These tales are set in different parts of the world and subtly expose children to many cultures while reading.Diversity: Even though we think of these tales as a category all to themselves, you’ll find stories which are thoughtful, romantic, or even action-oriented, which means there’s something for everyone!.These fantastical tales are examples of storytelling at its finest and the simple yet mysterious plotlines are not only entertaining but are some of the best tools to teach story to children around!

Imagination: It seems almost silly to mention it, but fairy tales boost a child’s imagination like salt brings out the flavor in a giant pot of gumbo.Some of these ideas will make total sense, but others might shock you – even though the positive effects of fairy tales on youngsters has been proven by psychologists who have studied the topic at length.Īs you’ll see, frequent exposure to fairy tales will benefit your child creatively, intelligently, emotionally, and morally: Creative Development

Whatever your view, you might be surprised to learn just how important fairy tales are to a preschooler’s development! Oh, maybe you’re fine with the Disney-fied versions, but you’re positive the originals would result in a grim future (pun intended) of night terrors for your little sleepyhead. Do you embrace fairy tales at your house, or choose to shy away from these often politically-incorrect stories with your children?

Fairytale preschool books