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Fairy Tales & Socialization

Last updated about 1 year ago
12 questions
Note from the author:
For this assignment, students will read a fairy tale and explain how it is geared toward preoperational children, focusing on how the story's characters, themes, and structure align with the way young children think and understand the world, as described by Bruno Bettelheim.

Adapted from Mrs. Wise Smart Boys (Tpt) https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fairy-Tales-and-Socialization-Activity-10031500
Read one of the fairy tales provided. Answer the following discussion questions:
  • Little Red Riding Hood
  • Cinderella
  • Snow White
  • Hansel & Gretel
  • The Three Little Pigs
Child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim explored the topic of fairy tales and socialization in his book, The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. He claimed that fairy tales help children master the problems of growing up by addressing issues involving love, fear, death, isolation, abandonment, evil vs virtue, and good vs bad. Bettelheim also discussed the indirect socialization lessons that young children can identify with, like the hero, who serves as a good role model and the villain, who exhibits socially unacceptable behavior. In addition, he stressed that fairy tales are structured in the same simplified way that children think. For example, the characters in fairy tales are usually one-dimensional; the witch is mean and ugly, the princess is beautiful and kind, and the prince is strong and brave.
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Select the fairy tale that you chose. (Only choose one)

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Describe at least one example of how this fairy tale demonstrates good vs evil.

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Are difficulties in life demonstrated? List and describe any you observe.

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Explain how at least one character in this story serves as a role model for young children.

Explain briefly how this fairy tale teaches about (one example for each):

If the story does not include the theme, write "N/A."
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Love

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Fear

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Death

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Isolation (being alone)

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Abandonment (leaving someone)

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Dealing with fears

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1. How is this fairy tale/movie geared toward preoperational children?

Preoperational stage (2 to 7 years)
During this stage, children build on object permanence and continue to develop abstract mental processes. This means they can think about things beyond the physical world, such as things that happened in the past.

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Do you think there are any negative messages for children in this fairy tale? Explain.