A Study of Fairy Tales

"A Study of Fairy Tales" by Laura Fry Kready is an educational examination written in the early 20th century. This scholarly work explores the significance of fairy tales in children's literature and their value as a pedagogical tool in early childhood education. The book discusses how fairy tales can enrich a child's learning experience by fostering imagination, emotional development, and moral understanding. The opening of the study outlines the current challenges in education, particularly regarding the curriculum's emphasis on children's literature and shows how fairy tales can play a pivotal role in a child's growth. Kready argues for a structured approach to teaching these tales, emphasizing their historical context and literary merit. She also addresses the importance of selecting age-appropriate stories while presenting fairy tales as a crucial element of childhood experience that nurtures creativity, observation, and ethical values. The introductory sections serve as a foundation for investigating fairy tales’ contributions to a child's cognitive and emotional development, which will continue throughout the book.