Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Fairy tales ARE better for children than modern books, Expert claims



From Once upon a time, there was a moral code... Fairy tales ARE better for children than modern books, expert claims By Daily Mail Reporter:

Parents who shun traditional fairy tales in favour of 'more politically correct' modern books are missing vital chances to teach their children a moral code of life, an expert has claimed.
Increasing numbers of parents in recent years have avoided traditional fairy tales such as Cinderella and Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.
They believe that the books can stereotype people from minority groups and have instead chosen to read their youngsters more modern books.

But a leading child development expert believes that traditional stories passed down through generations are vital to a child's development.
Sally Goddard Blythe said that the traditional tales show children how good can triumph over bad and that they can foster kindness and generosity.
Mrs Goddard Blythe argues in her book, The Genius Of Natural Childhood, that the seven dwarfs show children the physical diversity of life.

'When you don't give children these stereotypes, you don't give them a moral code on which to develop their own lives.

'Fairy tales help to teach children an understanding of right and wrong, not through direct teaching, but through implication.

'Far from demonising the dwarfs, the story of Snow White shows that underlying the physical diversity there can be greater kindness and generosity than is found in the stereotypes of beauty and wealth so lauded by celebrity-worshipping cultures.'
There's some more of the article through the above link. And here's a cover image and link to Blythe's book:

The Genius of Natural Childhood: Secrets of Thriving Children

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