Your Take On Fairy Tales For Preschoolers

[Willow]

That doesn't mean that the stories are bad or that you shouldn't read them. I also added consperacy theories of shows that weren't made with bad intentions but were turned into darker meanings by fans on my previous post.

What on earth do you mean??!

Most fairy tales were very VERY bad. HORRIFIC even!!!!!!


I have no idea what you're talking about as far as conspiracy theories go. The stories were written and they are what they are. THEN turned marshmallowy as they were passed down, probably because most people couldn't stomach their actual content.

I've never heard anyone try to deny the origins of fables. You can easily reference the original subtexts.

[Willow]

As far as "catchy tunes" go anyone remember the hub-bub when that little boy was posted on youtube singing the song "Booty Pop?"

He didn't understand the context at all being just 6 years old, so why was everyone so outraged??

[Willow]

Yeah right, after christmas my 3 year old at bedtime everynight asked if santa was watching her and she was scared

Not to mention every parent that's ever brought their child to sit on Santa's lap at the mall always ends up with a perfect picture of their child NOT screaming their head off in terror and tearing away from his grip ::

[just_peachy]

I guess I see fairy tales as part of history. They were written/told with the intention to be passed down; to leave a legacy. They were a way of imparting wisdom, explaining truths. Of course they're going to be "sugar coated" for kids, but that doesn't mean there aren't any value to them. If anything, as kids grow older and the history behind the fairy tales are learned, their attachment to the gravity of the reality is deepened. As opposed to the "meh who cares, that's ancient history" mentality.

To me, it's kind of like the process of explaining sex to a kid.

If a 3 year old wants to know how babies are made, you don't bust in with a complete explanation, diagrams and all... they get the "when Mommy and Daddy love each other very much..." version. As time progresses, that version changes in an age appropriate way.

While I understand the argument, I think it'd be a loss to toss fairy tales away because of their grimness. I think their cultural value is significant.

[Willow]

While I understand the argument, I think it'd be a loss to toss fairy tales away because of their grimness. I think their cultural value is significant.

I don't disagree with you there, and I'm not saying they should be done away with.

Just arguing that they should be left be, as originals, and saved for when a child is old enough to comprehend them. We don't take the civil rights movement into a classroom of kindergartners and start with "Once upon a time in the woods somewhere..." ending it with children frolicking about the classroom with glee as an introduction into all that. Nor is there any reason to take a flubbed version of Stephen King's "Thinner" into a preschool to teach children about good eating habits or treating other ethnic and cultural backgrounds with respect.

Save it for when it's appropriate for them to learn about the reality of actual reality and the reality of fiction.

Impart ones values through ACTUALLY appropriate fairy tales (The Little Red Hen is fantastic!) or via other means.

[Starburst]

You know what, I am done feeding into this little passive-agressive game. These are my opionions and I am so tired of feeling like I have to defend them to you or anyone. I don't care what you think anymore; you have your opionions and that is fine. I am just trying to let you know that the world isn't so black and white (Because if the world was black and white there would be no rainbows).

I believe kids are too sheltered as it is today and need some type of risks and adventure. Heck, when I was a younger kid I loved scary stories and learning about urban ledgens. When I was a little kid I loved hearing stories about witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and monsters. In fact the only books I would read were from the 'Goosebumps' series. It was an adrenoline rush- like riding a roller coaster. Heck, I remember when I was a kid watching 'Oprah' and soap operas (shows made for adults- NOT kids) when they would talk about drugs and kid nappings; I have been offered rides from men between the ages of 9 -12 but I never accepted a ride no matter how hot it was or far my walk was and I have had older friends who offered me things but I never done drugs, smoked cigarrettes, or even drank (supprising I also grew up listening to rap and never did these things). I had one friend in high school who said she accepted a ride from a guy and by the end of that ride contracted herpes she was also known for drinking, smoking, and doing drugs-she just watched tweeny bopper shows on MTV.

If someone wants their kids to be wimpy generic robots that is fine but I want my future kids to have a little bit of adventure and learn different types of emotions- and that includes fear! Because fear is what helps keep us grounded and helps us realize that there are consequenses to all of our actions (some good and some bad). Fear is what stops us from doing something stupid or gambling away all the money we need to pay the bills. But when parents are too afraid they stop their kids from being exposed to anything scary but then their kids miss out on that oppertunity to know what fear is and may not learn when the risks out way the rewards.

Those are my personal expierinces and beliefs. This is not a black and white issue because there are always pros and cons to everything. But in my opionion I see far more pro than cons.

[Willow]

You know what, I am done feeding into this little passive-agressive game. These are my opionions and I am so tired of feeling like I have to defend them to you or anyone. I don't care what you think anymore; you have your opionions and that is fine I am just trying to let you know that the world isn't so black and white (Because if the world was black and white there would be no rainbows).

I believe kids are too sheltered as it is today and need some type of risks and adventure. Heck, when I was a younger kid I loved scary stories and learning about urban ledgens. When I was a little kid I loved hearing stories about witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and monsters. In fact the only books I would read were from the 'Goosebumps' series. It was an adrenoline rush- like riding a roller coaster. Heck, I remember when I was a kid watching 'Oprah' and soap operas (shows made for adults- NOT kids) when they would talk about drugs and kid nappings; I have been offered rides from men between the ages of 9 -12 but I never accepted a ride no matter how hot it was or far my walk was and I have had older friends who offered me things but I never done drugs, smoked cigarrettes, or even drank (supprising I also grew up listening to rap and never did these things). I had one friend in high school who said she accepted a ride from a guy and by the end of that ride contracted herpes she was also known for drinking, smoking, and doing drugs-she just watched tweeny bopper shows on MTV.

If someone wants their kids to be wimpy generic robots that is fine but I want my future kids to have a little bit of adventure and learn different types of emotions- and that includes fear! Because fear is what helps keep us grounded and helps us realize that there are consequenses to all of our actions (some good and some bad). Fear is what stops us from doing something stupid or gambling away all the money we need to pay the bills. But when parents are too afraid they stop their kids from being exposed to anything scary but then their kids miss out on that oppertunity to know what fear is and may not learn when the risks out way the rewards.

Those are my personal expierinces and beliefs. This is not a black and white issue because there are always pros and cons to everything. But in my opionion I see far more pro than cons.

Yeah, I have no idea what you're talking about with any of your above....

Nowhere did I say kids should be sheltered or taught there isn't consequences for their actions.

I do think it's pretty ridiculous and offensive that you're saying I want my children to grow up to be wimpy generic robots simply because I don't think it's ethical for them to unknowingly make light of the Black Plague and Holocaust.

You don't have to like my opinions or explanations of why I feel the way I do, but for heavens sake have some respect and LEAVE MY CHILDREN OUT OF IT. That's a low blow and completely out of line.

[CedarCreek]

Let's all calm down. It's just fairy tale talk.

We aren't talking about corporal punishment here.

[Starburst]

Did I say your kids? NO! I said it in the general 'if someone' I made the conscience effort to not put "your". Because that is how many kids are being raised now. Any time they show any type of expression other than happiness or content it's "oh they have a mood disorder or a learning diability. Quick give them a pill". I was diagnosed with depression as a teen and when I was on medications I did feel like a robot with no emotions so I stopped it. Then a few years later I went to the doctor for a regular check up and was feeling fine and she just saw on my chart about my depression and I said was fine but she still proscribed meds; now instead of depression I have anxiety issues even years after I haven't taken it.

[Starburst]

Let's all calm down. It's just fairy tale talk.

We aren't talking about corporal punishment here.

Yeah, It seems these stories have more meaning to our society than we think.

[Willow]

Did I say your kids? NO! I said it in the general 'if someone'. Because that is how many kids are being raised now. Any time they show any type of expression other than happiness or content it's "oh they have a mood disorder or a learning diability. Quick give them a pill". I was diagnosed with depression as a teen and when I was on medications I did feel like a robot with no emotions.

That's not what you said, or what I believe you meant at all but fine.

With that I'll just agree to disagree and move on from responding to you in this thread.

[MissAnn]

Let's all calm down. It's just fairy tale talk.

We aren't talking about corporal punishment here.

This made me laugh! ::

[spud912]

I love fairy tales. I love every aspect of them. The majority of people do not know the "real" meaning of many of them so I don't think the children are learning anything inappropriate unless you are explaining their origins at the same time.

It's the same with adults listening to music. I'm sure we would ban many of our favorite songs after actually listening and comprehending what the lyrics were of many popular songs. I would rather put my blinders on and enjoy life .

On a side note, we do ring around the rosy nearly every day . I find it's a great song to get the kids together to start circle time.

[AmyLeigh]

I guess I see fairy tales as part of history. They were written/told with the intention to be passed down; to leave a legacy. They were a way of imparting wisdom, explaining truths. Of course they're going to be "sugar coated" for kids, but that doesn't mean there aren't any value to them. If anything, as kids grow older and the history behind the fairy tales are learned, their attachment to the gravity of the reality is deepened. As opposed to the "meh who cares, that's ancient history" mentality.

To me, it's kind of like the process of explaining sex to a kid.

If a 3 year old wants to know how babies are made, you don't bust in with a complete explanation, diagrams and all... they get the "when Mommy and Daddy love each other very much..." version. As time progresses, that version changes in an age appropriate way.

While I understand the argument, I think it'd be a loss to toss fairy tales away because of their grimness. I think their cultural value is significant.

ITA. Very well put.

[canadiancare]

Age appropriate choices in life. My kids got the toned down versions when they were little and were reading Grimm's Grimmest by 8 years old right alongside Goosebumps and Harry Potter. Expose your children to spoken and written words and feed their minds and imaginations. It is THE time in their lives where the connection between magic and fantasy vs reality is being made.

The only song I edit is


In a cabin in the woods
A little man by the window stood
Saw a rabbit passing by
Knocking at his door
Help me help me
The rabbit said
I am hungry and I need to be fed (instead of "or the hunter will shoot me dead")
Come little rabbit come with me
So happy we will be