What is behind the problem of childhood obesity ? A re-reading of the Little Red Riding Hood tale will help us understand the psychology of children and the need to fill their void.

By reading children's stories, children get to know the world and develop their imagination

The world of fairy tales is a magical world, able to attract the attention of young and old, stimulating their imagination and imagination . "Once Upon a Time" from fairy tales practically takes children in one dimension away from today's space and time and catapults them into a fantastic world of orcs, wolves, wizards and witches.

The constant scheme of fairy tales gives children security, who can identify themselves with the characters, empathizing with the adventures of the fairy world, fighting in battles and experiencing different emotions, always accompanied by security in their happy ending .

And here that "Once Upon a Time" is a valuable resource from an educational point of view. Mothers and fathers should not ignore fairy tales , because they are the ones who lead children to new adventures . Through fairy tales the child begins to get to know the world , to experience different emotions and to face the problems and needs of all of us: fear, insecurity, the desire to be loved and understood…

In the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, a cute little girl walks calmly through the forest to bring food and water to her grandmother because she is weak and sick. Little Red Riding Hood will fall into a trap and fall prey to a greedy bad wolf who will meet in the woods and eat her and her grandmother. In this tale of the Brothers Grimm , the narrative structure is based on food, hunger and eating. But what are the characteristics of this wolf hunger? This is hunger without control, to burst, without pleasure, this is primary hunger. It is not difficult today to meet children who are crammed without ever being satisfied with food. It is "never enough" for them. A plump body from childhood obesity is an indicator. It shows lack - the lack of someone, the emptiness that the child tries to fill without success through food.

Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother will be rescued by a hunter. What fear! How dark it is in a wolf's belly! The child wants to be accompanied by the parent in this adventure, as well as in others, to have the opportunity to experience positive and negative emotions, feeling protected.

The moment when mom and dad decide to tell a story is a gift for the child , especially today, in the world of technology, which does not stimulate the imagination, limits the receptors that stimulate imagination and creativity. However, the story is open, suitable to be supplemented by the parent and the child . This is the moment for imagination and creativity. This moment abounds in the presence and feeling of warmth, fundamental to the maturation and emotional development of the young child .