true, because Primary school teacher and father of two Daniel Mitchell, says that while fairy tales do include mythical and supernatural elements they can also be used to teach valuable life skills such as “perseverance and resilience.”

“Kids respond really well to fairy tales. They get to use their imaginations and even though the characters aren’t realistic they can relate to them,” Mitchell explains.

Mitchell also notes that while fairy tales may not be realistic they provide a great foundation for teachers and parents to have valuable discussions with kids about all sorts of topics.

Children’s writer Zanni Arnot agrees. She says that fairy tales are much more than “supernatural” and “unrealistic” and are actually a fundamental part of childhood development.

“I think fairy tales are deeply complex, and reflect social and human characteristics. In my mind, that is part of their appeal to children, and why adults enjoy reading them to kids,” she explains.

Like many of us, Arnot has been reading fairy tales to her daughter since she was a baby. “I think it is precisely because they are magical and so fantastical that they engage her interests.”

“The Big Bad Wolf and The Fairy Godmother are often characters in her imaginary play. Interestingly, she usually sympathises with the 'bad' characters, like the Big Bad Wolf,” she says.

But while many parents agree that fairy tales play an important part of childhood, some are concerned that they are quite scary for little ones, particularly at bedtime. So should fairy tales come with a warning?

Child psychologist Jocelyn Brewer says that most parents know the stories so can assess what type