This film critic can’t wait to screen movies with Lil’ WWTW.
He already adores watching films like “Finding Nemo” and “The Incredibles” on Blu-ray. So why wouldn’t he love sitting next to his pappy in a movie theater to see something like “Cars 2” or “Kung Fu Panda 2?”
Well, for starters, the little guy is only two and a half, and who knows how he might react to sitting in a darkened theater for 90-odd minutes?
So WWTW reached out to an expert on child development to learn more about the best age to take your child to the movies.
Barbara Willer, deputy executive director of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), says there are few hard and fast rules in this parenting arena.
“I don’t know if there’s an age where it’s absolutely inappropriate,” Willer says. “Most 3-4 year olds will find it difficult to sit through the 90 minute experience, but there may be some for whom that might not be insurmountable.”
Willer says just because a child loves DVDs doesn’t mean he or she is ready to enter the local movie house.
“Parents don’t necessarily think of how different a movie experience is for a very small child,“ Willer says. Theaters are spacious and overwhelming halls unlike even the most dedicated home theater spaces. It’s a far cry from the toddler’s house, a safe and snug environment where familiar touches abound.
“For some children the darkness itself may be frightening,“ she says.
Watching “Bambi” at home can be hard to process for a young viewer. Watching it on the very big screen is another matter entirely, Willer says.
“It can be much more intimidating than seeing the same movie at home,” she says.
Know thy child
Parents must have an understanding of how their child processes entertainment. Some kids can patiently watch a movie from an early age and not be alarmed by the drama unfolding, while others may be as old as 8 or 9 before they’re ready to view and appreciate films.
Parents who take their toddlers to the movies should analyze their reactions to the on-screen action. And they can practice this right at home.
“If you’re watching videos … don’t be afraid to stop, pause and ask your child to get a sense of what they think it’s happening,” she says. “Are they engaged? Are they staying with the story?”
And, most of all, are they scared of what they see?
“Fear is probably one of the ones to watch for most,” she says.
Adult content comes with consequences
Exposing children to mature content can have long-term consequences on their development.
“Some studies about media violence and sexualized information show that it can have a negative impact, especially over time on multiple occasions,” she says. “That becomes information that is internalized and is not appropriate and can have some harmful effects.”
And just because a film might seem innocuous, a child may react in ways the parent doesn’t imagine.
“Can PG be too adult? Absolutely. The ‘P’ is there for a reason,” she says.
If a parent decides to take the plunge, consider the reasons why.
“Is it something for you or your child?” she asks. If it’s for the wee one, then make sure the daily nap is over before checking out a matinée showing.
“It’s better if the child is well rested and can really enjoy the experience,” she says.
The most important advice Willer can share on the subject involves expectations. Enter the theater knowing you might not see the closing credits.
“My primary advice is be ready to leave, to have to walk out. You might have to,” she says.
For more information on whether a film is appropriate for your youngster, check out Screen It.
(Photo: Your humble film correspondent, center, along with Lil’ WWTW, left, and Janey the semi-wonder dog, right)
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Good article but do you ever smile?
Sometimes I do the Dick Cheney half smile, but only on holidays!
Keep the kids out of the theater until they’re old enough to completely control themselves. I’ve had several first run movies ruined by idiots who let their kids run up and down the aisles during a movie. Ask them to keep their rowdy offspring in check and you’re a child hating monster.
And don’t get me started on the screaming babies.
Fantastic article, cftoto. I, for one, enjoy seeing interesting articles and postings/rants about things “movie-related” which are not necessarily movie reviews. Thank you.
I still have issues taking my room mates son who is 16 with me, he sometimes wont sit still or gets bored.
Thanks so much for posting this. My son is 4, and my wife and I are considering taking him to see WINNIE THE POOH this summer. The little guy can already sit through CARS and FINDING NEMO, and we figured POOH would be innocuous enough for his first trip to the theater.
I grew up on going to the movies, and it’s something I’m really looking forward to sharing with my son. But I’m torn as to what to introduce to him (and when) because of some of the concerns Willer brings up in your post.
But Willer also brings up a few things I hadn’t thought about. Thanks for the tip.
Hey Christian,
Good post. Don’t forget parents can use my site (www.screenit.com) to find out exactly what’s in a movie before the kids see it.
See you at the next awards show!
Good information – we left early for the first few movies we took our son to (starting at age 5). At age 8 he still prefers viewing movies at home where he can control the dvd player (re-watch favorite scenes, etc.).
When we saw “Up” last year there were many toddlers there and a lot of them freaked out during the thunderstorm scene and as well as when the old guy whacked the construction worker. Even though it was PIXAR there were some tense moments.
Wow, so cool that Lil WWTW is joining the celebrity-ranks of his dad! A powerful team if I do say so.
Yes…Lil’ Toto can rate movies like many should be rated…”I give this movie 3.5 Dirty-Nappies!”
Very young children should be brought to the matinees only.
Regarding inappropriate or adult content and children, I saw a guy bring his 5 or 6 year old kid to the horror film Hostel.
First movie I saw in the theater was “Return of the Jedi”. I was 4, and the only thing I remembered was that the experience was so overwhelming to my senses that it terrified me. But a couple years later, I was fine to sit in the theater happily, without making a peep.
It really depends on the kid and what they can handle, but age 5 and up is probably fine for a G-rated movie.
We began taking my son to the theater when he was just a month or so old and he was great. Always quiet. He saw both Robocop and Moonstruck and Moonstruck was his favorite movie. He would sit in my lap mesmerized through the whole movie. He was never a problem.
Throughout his life we have both enjoyed going to movies together. The movie I most regret going with him to (he was just 17) was Team America: World Police. Watching puppets having sex was uncomfortable enough, but the homosexual puppet sex was over the top! I knew it was from Southpark but I never watched the show so I didn’t REALLY know what to expect!