Psychological Impact of Fairy Tales on the Mind of Children

Exploring the Influence of Fairy Tales on Children's Psychological Development

Abstract

Children’s literature helps a young child make sense of what it is to be human and helps them understand the world around them. The fairy tale genre provides ways for children to receive important messages. Although there are some themes in fairy tales that are unrealistic, the overall effect is positive and offers fundamental elements for children’s development. Based on the Jungian interpretation, fairy tales teach children how to deal with basic human conflicts, desires, and relationships in a healthy way acquiring these skills can ultimately impact a child’s health, quality of life, or even influence its values and beliefs in the future. The current paper highlights the psychological impact of fairy tales on the mind of the children.