“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
Did any of you grow up reading fairy tales? What was your first exposure to the story of Cinderella, or fairy tales in general? Did you read it yourself in a book? Was it read to you by a parent or teacher? Did you see it in a film, or on television?
Is it actually important to read fairy/folk tales? Even in college?
― Albert Einstein
Did any of you grow up reading fairy tales? What was your first exposure to the story of Cinderella, or fairy tales in general? Did you read it yourself in a book? Was it read to you by a parent or teacher? Did you see it in a film, or on television?
Is it actually important to read fairy/folk tales? Even in college?
I think its good to read fairy tales as a child because it gives you a good sense of imagination and happiness. When i was a child, i watched all the movies and read all the books and i even enjoy reading them today. So yeah i think it is important to read fairy tales because it gives you a sense of imagination and joy that brings you back to your childhood.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Emily on this one. As I child, I didn't read the specific story of Cinderella, but I read others and I feel they really helped me gain a better imagination. I also remember fairy tales being read to us in elementary school and I feel that they helped me pay more attention and kept me interested in learning.
DeleteI also agree with Emily and Evan. I was read Cinderella as a little kid, and my dad would always sing the song. I feel fairytales help kids to find that sense of creativity with in. Working with kids on a daily basis, I find the ones that are more creative are often times the ones that are better students.
Delete-Chase S
Being raised by a single father fairy tales were never allowed in my home. We were too busy with power rangers, He-man, and football. Do I feel like I missed out on a level of creativity? Not at all. I'm not saying that watching fairy tales doesn't help to expand the mind, maybe it does. But I also hesitate to believe that a story about a princess with gold slippers soaring away into never-land is something that will form our brains to have all kinds of unnatural creativity. Maybe I'm a skeptic but I don't buy it. Sorry to all of you fairy-tale lovers out there!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteTim you are a good man, like Rumplestilskin(Fairytale reference inteneded) Though I feel that creativity can come from other places; peers, other literature, music, etc... The impact and effect fairytales have already had on our society has been good in the sense it brings hope. When a child's life is possibly not going as smooth as the parents had hoped, the parents can relate a fairytale to the child. Giving the child a sense of comfort, believing things will get better. I do agree there comes a time when parents need to slowly cut the rope so to say, with the whole fairytale phase. Succinctly put: I feel it is the moral of the story the parents need to focus on rather than the unreal details that spice up the story for that million-dollar Hollywood feel. I do however feel the morals of the story spark creativity that can be difficult to find in other places. The reason being, is it helps a child to believe in greater things to come.
DeleteI guess I can dig that. Still though I feel like morals can be best taught by parental examples rather than through a story book. I feel that if you want your kids to have hope for the future you should be teaching them the skills and and attributes that they will need in order to succeed in your home in a real life situation. As a parent I hope to be able to share personal experiences with my children and stories of my upbringing that will teach them those things. Stories about overcoming obstacles etc for them to fall back. Parents should aim to have their kids looking back and saying, "My mom/dad taught me X,Y,&Z, and that's why I'm going to make this good choice." Instead of having to relate to a fictional character.
DeleteMy first experinece to a fairy tale or even exposed to Cinderella was when my mama green would read out of the mother goose book that had tons of fairy tales stories. Reading fairy tales I think is very improtant because it gives you an imagination and brings you joy to your childhood wishing and dreaming once upon a time. Even in elementary school I felt like my imagination that i've gained by reading or watching fairy tales helped me write interesting short stories in my journal.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have a specific fairy or folk tale story that they can relate to? Or are there any fairy/folk tales you can't stand?
DeleteI grew up reading fairy tales, too. I remember reading Cinderella from a Little Golden Book along with Sleeping Beauty, Peter and the Wolf, and Jack and the Beanstalk. I think that fairy tales are important. I agree that they help encourage children's imaginations, and they also provide a way for them to come to terms with a situation or problem. I think fairy tales offer children a great view of triumph in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. I think that all children should be read fairy tales, or have the opportunity to read them on their own.
ReplyDeleteroman v
Deletedo you think that fairy tales apply to all genders? i realize that cinderella for example is directed to girls, do you see how this story as well as other fairy tales could be applied to all genders of children?
I've come to the realization that it's not the Cinderella story I object to, or even the Disney film--I had the record of the songs from Cinderella (boy, that tells you how old I am :)) and I used to put on my sisters' ballet recital dresses and dance to it. I've always enjoyed the princess movies--Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty and the Beast. I think the main thing I take issue with is Disney's MARKETING of its princess line--and the pressure it puts on mothers to be the fairy godmother and buy all the fancy products for their daughters. It's also the Disney programming that bothers me, and the pressure for girls of younger and younger ages to act and dress like the "princesses" of Disney television shows (Hannah Montana, etc.). Anything that encourages kids to grow up faster than necessary is problematic, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, thanks for your comments on this post. I really enjoy hearing your thoughts on this topic.
I agree with the marketing problem because it does put pressure on parents to buy their children Princess products because it is EVERYWHERE. However, i don't think little girls watching Cinderella are growing up faster. I believe its just a phase for little girls, but shows like Hanna Montana could lead to girls growing up faster.
DeleteLorin Tout
ReplyDeleteI definately think that fairy tales should be read to children at a young age. I think it gives them an imagination that they need. I remember watching Cinderella as a child and I loved it! heck I still love the movie Cinderella. Children I think like to pretend they are different people and play different roles. I think fairy tales are a great way for children to do this.
Kaitlyn Carlson
DeleteI aggre, Cinderella and other fairy tale movies were a big part of my childhood.I think that they are good for kids because they will create memories they will never forget.
I can't remember who it was, but someone in class stated that they think the "princess culture" is just a phase and thinks that girls will simply grow out of it. Does everyone agree with this? Have you seen any examples in your own life or someone you know?
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn Carlson
DeleteI agree that the "Princess culture" is just a phase that girls grow out of. Once you start to grow up princess stuff becomes less important and you start to care about different things.
Lorin Tout
DeleteI agree. I think little girls grow out of the princess stage. You dont see 21 year old girls dressing up as Cinderella pretending to go to a ball? But I do think that the older you get, being the "princess" get more glamorized.
I feel like people waste to much time trying to live up to fairy tales. I know I'm going to be looked at as the fairy tale hater now, but that's okay by me. I understand that little girls like to put on the pretty dresses and makeup and high-heels and prance around like they're a princess. This I have no problem with at all, I actually think it's really cute. But some of these girls, when they get into their teens and older, seem to feel like they need to continue to be those princesses, and that some prince charming is going to come sweep them off their feet. Unfortunately this expectation of being incredibly gorgeous and having the perfect man is rarely obtained. This is the part that men hate, when they meet a girl that wants to be the barbie-doll, Cinderella type and nothing about them is ever good enough. So as a guy who doesn't understand why some females act this way, and since I have to write on this blog, I'm going to go ahead and blame this expectation of perfection on fairy-tales!! And on behalf of all the fellas in the class room; Ladies, you don't have to look and act like a Disney princess or fit into double zero jeans to get prince charming. If he says you do, then happily ever after probably isn't in your future with him. Stupid fairy-tales..:)
ReplyDeleteI like what you said. I agree that modern versions of Cinderella place a lot of emphasis on young girls being perfect. I think a lot of the media in today's world does the same thing. I think that you should tell more ladies what you said in your post, they don't need to be perfect.
DeleteDo you feel pressure from fairy tales as a guy to try to live up to the girls' high expectations in finding the perfect man?
Well said Tim. Though you may sound like a "fairy-tale" hater, you are correct in the sense that a lot of girls do allow what was told as them in their childhood form who they are to become. Most of it can be difficult to obtain though. I think the problem with a lot of fairytales is they place unreal perceptions and expectations on the mind of the reader. The creativity is good though, so I feel fairytales can be good until a certain age. And to Cami, yeah sometimes I feel the expectations are a little high. No such thing as a perfect person, meaning no perfect man and no perfect woman. Those pressures are evident, but unreal.
DeleteIn response to Cami; No I don't feel pressure personally to be the perfect fairy-tale like prince charming. Not me personally anyway. The way I look at it, (and most guys that I know and associate with) is, if we're not good looking and charming enough for you then we don't want to be with you anyway. That's what I mean when I say that sometimes girls try to live up to those expectations. As a guy, those aren't the kinds of girls we like to spend time around because they seem to be the kind that are unpleasable.. that's not a word but it makes sense to me..
DeleteCurious to know what you all think... Do fairytales form our perception on loving and living or are fairytales from the perception we already have on loving and living? Do we allow fairytales to change the way we may think? Or are the fairytales a result of the way we already see things?
ReplyDeleteroman v
DeleteI think that fairytales are our perception we have on loving and living. I think that fairytales can teach people, especially young children, important moral lessons. For example, we learn that most often the nice person in the fairytale usually wins. So in affect a young child might try and be nice like the charachter in the fairytale so they might "win" so to speak.
i agree but that fairytales teach kids that the nice person wins but what do you think when kids grow up and they realize santa,tooth fairy,and etc... is not real do think that it gives young children the idea that lying is ok?
Deleteroman v
Deleteyes i do believe its ok to lie to your kids about santa and the toothfairy. I think kids can figure things out on their own or rather they have to. But i think its easier to lie and tell a little kid that santa is real rather than looking them in the eyes and crushing their beliefs.
I think fairytales gives us a good perception on loving and living with all the fairytales movies. for example with Tangled the princess did not judge the thief whatsoever she loved him like he was like anyone else..that right there is a great example of loving one another then judging them right off the back. Even with the horse Maximus very stubborn but we are like that in a way but in the end Maxmius learned how not to be stubborn and I feel like Tangled taught me a few life lessons even though I am a freshman in college.
Deletefairy tales do change the way we think but in a good way. There's nothing wrong with being 7 years old and wanting to be a princess or a transformer. Once you hit the age of 20 and you still want to be a princess or a transformer then there are problems. But fairy tales are healthy for young kids.
DeleteI agree with Roman. I told my two oldest kids when they were in the third grade that Santa wasn't real, and it crushed them and crushed me in turn. I have not told my younger two kids yet, I'm going to let them figure it out on their own. One of them is in fifth grade, and he knows the truth, but he just doesn't admit it yet. I did ask my oldest kids if they thought that believing in Santa created a feeling like I lied to them or if they now couldn't trust me and they laughed and said I was crazy. ;D
DeleteI think that helping a kids imagination far outweighs creating dishonesty. I admit that I was disappointed and frustrated, but I got over it fast and I could have fun with my younger siblings who still believed in Santa. What do you guys think? Do you agree with me that promoting a kids imagination outweighs dishonesty? Why or why not?
DeleteMy first experience with fairy tales was probably the tooth fairy, my mom told it too me when i was very young and all i can remember thinking is a quarter for a tooth was the best thing ever. Also later in the years as i grew up fox produce a movie with rock playing as the tooth fairy which was a "Tooth Fairy" also known as Derek Thompson,who is a hard-charging hockey player whose nickname comes from his habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids. and that made me realize that fairy tales are not that important especially in college because college is a place for us to get ready for the real world.
ReplyDeleteWith fairytales movie shows that you grew up with did you learn anything that you could use in your daily lives on how you act with one to another? And not being so greedy/ignornant? I am curious what you guys got out of all the disney fairytales movies you watched..
ReplyDeleteMy favorite was The Lion King. I like the part when his dad comes to him in the clouds and says "Remember who you are. You are my son." I still cry when I see that part.
DeleteLorinTout
DeleteI agree with Cami! the lion king is such a good movie for evryone to watch. Just to be sure who you really are adn dont be aafraid of that. I dont like to watch it though just because i still cry as well.
my favorite disney movie is hercules because as you boy i wanted to be super strong.
DeleteKaitlyn Carlson
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little I grew up watching the princess movies and I loved them, but I was never the girl who dressed up as a princess or thought I would become a princess, but I think they are good for kids to read and watch.How many of you grew up actually thinking you might become a princess?
Kim Collings
ReplyDeleteI think that fairytales give kids the chance to expand their imagination have have fun in life. It gives them a chance to play and have fun pretending. I grew up playing dress up and being a princess on Halloween, It was simply something fun to do. I did not grow up thinking I was a princess or ever going to be one. I think that parents have a huge part in this idea, If they treat their kids as if they don't ever have to work for anything, they will think they are royalty. Does anyone else think that it is good for kids to have an imagination but still realize that they live in reality? or do you think that kids don't understand the difference between fantasy and real life?
Lorin Tout
DeleteI agree. Parents should let kids have a imagination and let them think and believe what they want. But still enforce when the kids are done playing Princess dress up they need to pick up their room and do reality chores. its up the to parents to draw the line and make sure the kids realize they dont actually live like a princess or superman.
Robert K.
Deletethe first few years of ones life are the development stages, and if there is no imagination there then there will be a large deficit of it in the later years of one life
Reading fairy tales as a little kid is important in growing up. As a kid you just wanna have fun and imagine things. Reading fairy tales is what makes that imagination grow. Without an imagination kids will grow up to be bland and socially out of place. We want our youth to be kids not lawyers when their 6 years old. Does anyone else think it's good to have an imagination as a child? Does anyone think not having an imagination as a child can affect you when your older?
ReplyDeleteRobert K.
DeleteI agree with you. I'd take it even farther to say that imagination is important throughout life in everyone. All of the great thinkers and inventors were great at imagining. Imagination is the ability to see what is not seen, and without it we would be blind to what is not directly in front of us.
Kim Collings
DeleteI agree with you. I think it is a great thing for kids, even adults, to have an imagination. It helps us expand our horizons and have a different outlook on life. Some of the greatest people in history are the ones who had huge imaginations and thought up what was thought to be the impossible.
I also agree most people want there kids smart and learn alot a young age instead of let the kids have fun and enjoy there youth.
DeleteLorin Tout
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone think that Disney gives young children a false sense of what the realities of life really are?
Kaitlyn Carlson
DeleteI dont think that Disney gives children a false sense of what life really is. As a kid things are suposed to be fun and imaginative, and thats what Disney is doing, encouraging an imagination. I think most kids now the difference between real life and fairy tales.
Robert K.
DeleteI'd agree that it does. But its not just them, and it comes down to the personal beliefs of the child. Most are alright and are just at play, thought there are a few who fall into the belief more fully and it follows them into adulthood
Carly Lloyd
DeleteI don't think Disney does either. I believe that all Disney is doing is opening up children's minds and opening the floodgates of imagination. If they ever do get a false sense of reality I would put the blame on the parents not the movie.
From the sounds of a lot of these comments you would think that without fairy tales kids would be stuck in a world without color and there would be no fun available and they would grow up to be social outcasts. I agree that, especially for kids, thinking about these things is fun but I don't necessarily agree that it is imperative to the development of a mind. Fun and exciting? Absolutely... Required for future success? I don't think so..
ReplyDeleteI think people don't relate the terms "fun" and "exciting" enough with the term "success" because If you feel that something is fun and/or exciting, you are going to be a lot more likely to pursue whatever it is you are having fun doing. I agree however there should be a balance, because the distintion between reality and fairytale is a vital thing that children must comprehend, but when the times is right. Without fairytales(keeping mind not all fairytales are the lovy-dovy kind) there would be very little, to no color at all. Life would seem monotonous and boring. Success would then become the fairytale in and of itself, because it would be almost feeble. Fairytales create a balance, and hope for what at times seems to be routine world.
DeleteWhat would your life be if fairytales did not exist? Keep in mind that even though you may not have been read fairytales, maybe those around you were read fairy tales. Do you feel they are more creative?
DeleteI agree Tim. Fairy tales are a ton of fun and probably in some way do help develop imagination. But I wasn't really read fairy tales a lot as a child but I still had enough imagination to play in empty boxes and have imaginary friends.
DeleteI guess my question is, do children NEED to have these fairy-tale filled backgrounds to develop an imagination? Is it possible for a child who grows up in a normal family but is deprived of fairy tales to have the same mental capacity for imagination as the kid that knows every song to every Disney-like movie on the shelf? How CRUCIAL is it?
ReplyDeleteRobert K.
DeleteI believe that a lot of the imagination stems, not from the fact that they are fairy tales, but from the fact that in reading one is actively using the imagination centers of the brain to fill in all the details and create a rendering of the literature in the mind. like painting a picture
Lorintout
DeleteWhen i wwas young i watch disney movies but not a whole lot. I was mostly outside, so i dont think it is crucial for kids to grow up on disney movies for them to have an imgination.
Memorizing the disney songs could be a bit extreme, but I agree with Robert in that fact that it is about them using their mind to get a big picture. Not stopping at the words they read, but pondering on them. It creates and brings a whole new meaning
DeleteRobert K.
ReplyDeleteI think the words in his quote that should stand out are: children, intelligent, and read. fairy tales are very much so child oriented tho the concepts can be important. That's why we get them young with these important morals. And a lot of the intelligence comes from reading and comprehending literature. A lacking in early literacy will affect the intelligence of the youth and adult.
Robert K.
ReplyDeletei think that imagination has too strong of a connotation to children. when it is a very important and powerful tool that we have as humans. and i dont mean explicitly the ability to think up pretty colored creatures. our minds use imagination or such a regular basis that it is taken for granted. our ability to predict what will happen in the near future and what is behind us. our memory is largely supported by our imagination. we store key points or memories and fill in the blanks with imagination.
I agree with Robert. I feel it is very important for children to become accustomed to fairy/folk tales to help spark their imagination. I think that it is very healthy for children to learn these fairy/folk tales and I think help learning in other aspects of a child's life.
ReplyDeleteI also think that adults need to continually be exposed to some form of fairy/folk tales. I feel it is healthy to occasionally escape our everyday problems and read about fairy/folk tales. I think that adults sometimes forget to have an imagination and forget to have fun with fiction. Do you agree? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteLorintout
DeleteI agree. Sometimes adults can be stiff and uptight and they forget to have because of all the stresses of being an adult.So adults do need to just forget about life and have fun in fairy tales.
Lorintout
ReplyDeleteDo you think that children need to devlop an imgination from any sort of movies or games to help be an creative adult?
yes child need imagination movies to be kids and live free its also shows them right and wrong without the harsh realities.
DeleteThey absolutely need to develop an imagination, how else will they ever succeed in college and out in the work environment?
DeleteThey need imagination but it doesn't need to come from movies or games. I think books would serve that function better.
Deleteandrew
when growning up is it good to know the bad and good fairytales to kids to symbolize good and bad?like some people tell there kids don't do that or the boogyman will get you.
ReplyDelete