The Importance of Using Movies as a Parenting Tool

The Importance of Using Movies as a Parenting Tool

Watching movies is an enjoyable pastime for many families. For decades, movies have not only entertained us but have also been used as an educational tool, especially for children. However, the use of movies as a tool for parenting has not been explored as much as it should be. Movies can help parents in many ways, including teaching values, sparking discussions, and enhancing the bond between parents and children. Here are some ways you can use movies as a parenting tool.

Teaching Values

Movies can be an excellent way to teach kids valuable lessons. Many movies have overarching themes or morals that can be used to impart life lessons to children. For example, ‘The Lion King’ can teach children about leadership, bravery, and perseverance, while ‘Finding Nemo’ can teach children about courage and the importance of family. When watching movies with your children, take the time to highlight and discuss these themes, and relate them to real-life situations.

Spark Discussions

Movies can provide a starting point for discussions on issues that children may not otherwise know about or may shy away from asking. For example, movies like ‘Inside Out’ can be used to talk to children about emotions and how they affect our behavior. Some movies like ‘Up’ or ‘Toy Story’ may bring up the topic of mortality, and this can be a great starting point to discuss death and loss with your children. Seize every opportunity to start conversations with your children, and this can be another way to enhance your bond with them.

Develop Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand and manage one’s emotions effectively. Movies can be used to teach children about emotions and how to manage them. For example, movies like ‘Ratatouille’ show how the protagonist overcomes obstacles and negative emotions like fear and anxiety to achieve his dream. By discussing the emotions shown in movies, you can help children recognize and understand their emotions and those of others, which in turn can help them manage their emotions effectively.

Enhance Family Bonding

Watching movies together can be a fun activity for families, and it provides a relaxed atmosphere for families to bond. When watching movies together, parents can snuggle up with their children, and this can make them feel loved and secure. After the movie, you can discuss what you liked and didn’t like about the movie. This not only provides a great bonding experience but also allows you to teach your children to articulate their thoughts and feelings.

Conclusion

Movies can be an excellent parenting tool, and their benefits cannot be overstated. They can teach children valuable lessons, spark meaningful conversations, develop emotional intelligence and enhance family bonding. However, it is essential to choose age and content appropriate movies, and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by these movies to teach your children valuable life lessons.

In conclusion, the use of movies as a parenting tool has many benefits. By using movies as a tool for parenting, you can ensure that your children learn valuable life lessons in a way that is engaging and enjoyable. So, next time you plan a movie night with your children, use it as a chance to bond with them and teach them a thing or two about life!