Fairy tales: A timeless treasure in parenting

From The Little Mermaid to Rapunzel, The Free Little Pigs to The Ugly Duckling, fairy tales were an essential part of everyone's childhood. 

Fairy tales, however, are more than just stories about knights, princesses, and magical animals. These timeless tales have been passed down through centuries, delivering simple yet valuable lessons. Thus, they have become an effective parenting tool that leaves a lasting impression on a child's development. 

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” ― Albert Einstein

So, why do children need fairy tales? 

First, fairy tales open the door to limitless creativity. Such stories inspire children’s imagination, encouraging them to think, innovate, and foresee unlimited possibilities beyond the boundaries of reality. They develop the crucial skill of creative problem-solving at a very young age. 

Fairy tales teach children morals that enable them to navigate the challenges of life. They show the consequences of good and bad behavior, helping children realize the value of empathy, bravery, and persistence. 

Many fairy tales contain terrible villains or difficult circumstances. Children learn to face their fears and discover the confidence to overcome them by following the lead of the characters. 

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” - Neil Gaiman, Coraline

For parents and children alike, reading or listening to fairy tales together becomes a treasured bonding activity. These shared moments become precious memories that deepen the parent-child bond. 

So, let’s continue to pass down this timeless gem to the next generation.