New UK study finds traditional fairy tales still finds interest with children

Updated on: Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Children today are still reading the same traditional fairy tales, such as Cinderella, that their parents grew up reading, a new UK study has found.

Seven in 10 parents said they tell fairy stories to their children, believing the tales develop reading skills as well as being fun for kids.

Half of the parents said it was a daily routine, according to the online survey of 1,001 parents.

Cinderella was their daughters' favourite character, according to 44 per cent, followed by Goldilocks, Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella's fairy godmother, the 'Daily Express' reported.

Jack won 24 per cent of the votes for boys, followed by Puss in Boots, the Gingerbread Men, the Three Bears from Goldilocks and the Big Bad Wolf from The Three Little Pigs.

Justine Hodgkinson, head of Booktrust's early years sector, which commissioned the survey, said, "Some parents and carers feel fairy tales are not relevant any more, forgetting that these magical stories help children to solve problems and make sense of the world."

"They have been shared for generations and can inspire children to become readers and storytellers for life," Hodgkinson said.

New UK study finds traditional fairy tales still finds interest with children

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