The English National Curriculum places a strong focus on teaching children about traditional tales in KS1. It states that pupils should be taught to develop pleasure in reading, motivation to read, vocabulary and understanding by:
becoming very familiar with key stories, fairy stories and traditional tales, retelling them and considering their particular characteristics (Year 1)
becoming increasingly familiar with and retelling a wider range of stories, fairy stories and traditional tales (Year 2)
Traditional tales include folk stories, fables and fairy tales. Told across cultures throughout history, they share universal themes and teach children about respect, and cultural similarities and differences. These enduring stories also entertain pupils and remain an important part of the KS1 curriculum. The following resources offer varied ways to teach traditional tales.