The writer recommended fairy tales as a remedy for anxiety in children

Fairy tales can be an effective tool in combating anxiety in children. Fears, anxiety, and shyness are increasingly common as early as preschool age, and children's literature suggests a safe way to deal with these conditions. On September 19, children's writer Kristina Kretova told Izvestia about this.

"I am deeply convinced that a fairy tale is a medicine for the soul. A fairy tale has always been a "magical space" for children, where they can experience strong feelings, learn to cope with difficult reality and gain experience from a safe distance," said Kretova.

She emphasized that unlike instructions and direct advice, a fairy tale story appeals to a child's imaginative thinking and his ability to empathize.

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The writer identified the most common types of anxiety in children: fear of separation, fear of the dark, anxiety about school, and fear of grades. According to her, fairy tales offer a child the opportunity to try out new response strategies: to ask for help, to be honest about their emotions, to seek support from friends and family.

Kretova recommended that parents choose books with recurring themes of overcoming fear and anxiety, including various genres ranging from classic fairy tales to modern comics.

"Make reading an evening story a ritual that creates an island of safety and predictability. Discuss with your child the emotional reactions of the characters — joy, fear, anger, sadness," the writer advised.

Kretova paid special attention to the importance of reading and discussing stories together. Such questions, she says, train a child's emotional intelligence, teach reflection, and allow parents to better understand the world of childhood experiences.

Children's literature, the expert noted, gives the child a language to express his worries, teaches him to talk about difficult things and accept his feelings as normal. For parents, this is a chance to reinforce their participation with support and help the child feel their own strength in the face of fears.

Earlier, on July 26, Ekaterina Markelova, co-owner of the Discovery network of bilingual kindergartens and schools, spoke about ways to detect lies in a child. According to the expert, it is important to let the child understand that he can tell the truth without fear.

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