These timeless narratives are often passed down from one generation to the next, shaping the way children perceive the world around them. However, the impact of fairytales on a child's development is a topic of debate among experts. While these stories can have both positive and negative effects, it is essential to understand how fairytales influence children's emotional, cognitive, and social development.

Fairytales play a crucial role in enhancing children's cognitive development. Listening to these stories exposes them to new vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and abstract concepts. This exposure can improve language skills and comprehension, helping children excel in school. Moreover, fairytales often contain puzzles and problems that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.

Fairytales often contain clear moral lessons. These stories frequently depict the triumph of good over evil, emphasising the importance of kindness, honesty, and courage. Hearing about the consequences of selfishness, dishonesty, or cruelty can instil a strong sense of ethics and morality in children. Fairytales like "Cinderella'' teach children the values of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. However, it is essential for parents and caregivers to guide children in interpreting these lessons and applying them to real-life situations in a careful manner. Children mustn’t be taught that their life events will follow exactly like those in the stories. Therefore, their expectations must be realistic and in alignment with their own life.

Furthermore, fairytales are known to evoke a wide range of emotions in children, from excitement and joy to fear and sadness. These emotional experiences help children develop emotional intelligence and empathy. When children identify with characters facing challenges and emotions similar to their own, they learn to process and manage their feelings effectively. This can be fruitful for children as they continue to grow and embrace their emotions.

One aspect of fairytales that has drawn criticism is their reinforcement of traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Many classic fairytales portray female characters as passive, dependent, and in need of rescue, while male characters are often depicted as strong and heroic. Such representations can influence children's perceptions of gender roles in society. However, contemporary adaptations of these stories often provide more empowering and diverse portrayals, challenging these stereotypes. It's important to provide fairytales which do not restrict or cause any limits to a child’s behaviour based on their gender.

Also, fairytales fuel children's imagination and creativity. These stories transport them to magical worlds where anything is possible, encouraging them to think beyond the constraints of reality. Engaging with fantastical creatures, enchanted objects, and whimsical settings stimulates creative thinking and problem-solving skills. This imaginative play can be beneficial for a child's cognitive and social development, allowing them to explore various scenarios and solutions.

In conclusion, fairy tales children hear can have a profound impact on their development. While they offer cognitive benefits through improved language skills and critical thinking, their moral lessons shape ethical values. Emotional development is also enriched as children connect with characters and learn to navigate through their own feelings. However, it's essential for parents and caregivers to provide guidance and address potential gender stereotypes in these stories. In the end, fairytales remain an invaluable tool for nurturing a child's imagination, creativity, and character development.