Telling children bedtime stories is a bedtime ritual. Listening to favorite fairy tales, children become comfortable and calm down to get a good night’s sleep. A study published in the British Medical Journal has shed light on the hidden value of these old children’s stories. They teach children about the value of healthy sleep. The study’s researchers evaluated popular fairy tales and found that they are more than comforting tales for the newlyweds.
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Classic fairy tales and their meaning
Every childhood fairy tale contains a deep metaphor that may not be immediately understood even by adults upon first reading.
Researchers analyzed the underlying meanings of Snow White, The Princess and the Pea, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Peter Pan and linked it to sleep disorders.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
In white, all the names of the gnomes allude to different aspects of the bad dream. For example, Sleepy, Grumpy, and Shy show common effects of sleep deprivation, such as irritability, fatigue, and difficulty communicating. The researchers further added that these behaviors are often associated with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, which affects sleep quality and leads to daytime behavioral difficulties. The tale of Snow White shows how lack of sleep leads to lower mood and attention. The Snow White character Doc had difficulty speaking, exhibiting slurred speech as a result of sleep deprivation. Sneezy’s constant sneezing allergy can be made worse by poor sleep, as sleep deprivation affects the immune system. The tale of Snow White shows the dark side of sleep deprivation and how it also greatly affects socialization.
Princess on the pea
In The Princess and the Pea, the princess couldn’t sleep because one pea got stuck in the pile of the mattress. She felt uncomfortable, like a real princess, she had a heightened sensitivity that even a small pea did not allow her to fall asleep. But upon closer inspection, the researchers linked the lack of sleep to a metaphor for autism spectrum disorder. Sensory processing problems, such as oversensitivity to certain, even trivial, stimuli can make it difficult for children to fall asleep.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Goldilocks wasn’t picky because finding “just” the right environment is also important for sleep. A comfortable bed and a room that’s not too hot and not too cold, but “just right” and dark and quiet, are ideal, the researchers explained. Temperature is important to creating a viable sleeping environment.
Peter Pan
The tale of Peter Pan introduces the symptoms of parasomnia. These are unusual and unwanted behaviors during sleep, such as walking, sleep talking, confusion, and night terrors. The roots go back to some traumatic experiences. Peter Pan himself experienced nightmares in the story. The story also touches on factors that can cause parasomnias, such as stress and lack of sleep, which is reflected in Peter’s experience of being chased by Captain Hook and his crew.
BEARS screening for sleep problems in children
Inspired by the story of Goldilocks, the BEARS screener can help detect sleep problems in children. They identified five key areas: Bproblems with editing (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep), Eexcessive daytime sleepiness (excessive fatigue during the day), Awaking up at night (frequent awakening), Rregularity and duration of sleep (consecutive sleep pattern and adequate sleep), and Snoise (a possible sign of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea). With this simple assessment tool, caregivers can easily identify and address children’s sleep problems early on.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.
