Fairy tales offer opportunities to engage with children about healthy and disordered sleep, researchers say. — Photo: FangXiaNuo / Getty Images, via ETX Daily UP
For generations, fairy tales have nourished the dreams of little ones. But according to a Canadian study published in the British Medical Journal, these stories could also become excellent educational aids for teaching children the importance of sleep.
A research team, led by Megan Thomas of Dalhousie University, came to this conclusion after analyzing four popular fairy tales that contain information on the benefits of sleep and the characteristics of sleep disorders.
Take Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, for example. This tale illustrates the effects of disturbed sleep, often linked to obstructive sleep apnea. The dwarfs themselves embody these consequences: Grumpy, irritability; Sleepy, chronic fatigue; and Bashful, reduced social skills.
Problems with attention and word fluency could also explain Doc's verbal hesitations, while Sneezy could potentially suffer from allergies aggravated by a weakened immune system, possibly due to sleep deprivation.
In The Princess And The Pea, the princess's insomnia and sensory sensitivities could point to an autism spectrum disorder, the researchers say. Meanwhile, the tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears highlights the ideal conditions for restful sleep: a comfortable bed and a room that is not too hot or too cold but 'just right' and is dark and quiet is ideal, the study authors note in a news release.
For its part, Peter Pan sheds light on parasomnias, abnormal phenomena that appear during deep slow wave or REM sleep, such as sleepwalking, night terrors or confusion on waking. These disorders, common in children, can be exacerbated by stress, separation anxiety and sleep deprivation. In James Matthew Barrie's story, Peter's sometimes painful dreams may reflect nightmares or night terrors.
Far from being mere imaginary stories, these tales offer an entertaining way of raising awareness among children and their parents of the importance of quality sleep. Using familiar characters and evocative situations, they remind us that a good night's sleep is essential, not only for physical health, but also for emotional balance. — AFP Relaxnews
