The magic of fairy tales: psychodynamic and developmental perspectives

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 1989 Summer;19(4):245-55. doi: 10.1007/BF00705954.

Abstract

The telling of fairy tales is one way to elicit a child's inner thoughts and feelings, expose conflicts and frustrations, reduce anxiety, and gain mastery over developmental tasks. This paper will review the meaning, usefulness, and importance of fairy tales by discussing three selections from the psychodynamic and developmental perspectives.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child Development*
  • Child, Hospitalized / psychology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Fantasy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Literature*
  • Male
  • Psychotherapy / methods