How To Find a Good Children's Movie

Entertainment has certainly changed over the years. Gone are the days when families would gather during the evening to watch black-and-white sitcoms geared toward family living.  Movies and television shows for the family were not only entertaining, but they also had a moral to the story, a lesson to be learned. There were no ratings systems needed.

In later years, the character of children changed in sitcoms and movies. They were no longer innocent and “apple-cheeked”. They were thrown into adult situations, and were sarcastic and wise-cracking; we began to see the emergence of role reversals, where the parents became incompetent and the children had all the answers.

Most movies, television shows, and cartoons today that are supposedly rated as PG or PG-13 are not always suitable for children under 13. Sometimes they include suggestive situations, language, and violence. But all is not lost.

Choosing a movie

As a parent you have to be informed much as possible about what’s out there.  With a little research and guidance you can still find wholesome choices for children.

Children are like sponges. Whatever they see or hear they immediately begin to imitate. So, this would be your first step. What do you want your child to come away with when they leave a movie? Think about that. Remember, what goes into a child’s mind will stay with him. It may be like writing with indelible ink; it cannot easily be removed.

Find out what movies are playing and base your decision on the plot of the movie, the characters. This would mean doing a little research. Read reviews and watch movie trailers - but again, keep in mind that just because a movie is rated as a PG film does not mean it is appropriate for a young viewer. Do your homework! Sometimes these reviews are meant to boost ratings and revenue rather than to give an accurate review of the film.

Get advice from other parents who may have already seen the movie or movies in question. It's a good idea to be cautious here, as all parents do not think alike. Many think their children are “mature” enough to handle what they see and hear. So, what maybe suitable to these parents may not be for you or your children.

Go with your instinct. Who knows your child better than you? If the behavior in a particular movie is something you think would be detrimental for your child, pass it up. The more you know, the less anticipation and worry  about what is coming next on the screen. As the old saying goes, “When in doubt, do without”!