The secret to positively impacting your relationship with your children's TV consumption
My sons love watching TV - whose don’t? Their rosey cheeks glowing brightly as they snuggle on the sofa, their dimples creased tightly as they laugh at the Ninky Nonks and their eyes wide open so as not to miss one second. In truth it doesn’t really matter what’s on, so long as IT’S on! So, although I try to limit screen time to the recommended 1 hour a day and, where I can, I even try to manipulate a no screen day (that one’s not with their grandparents of course), I’ve realised I can’t spend the next few years fighting this love for TV, instead, I’ve decided to embrace it.
As it’s proven that media can directly or indirectly influence children’s thoughts and behaviours I’ve decided to look for meaningful content my kids can consume which will also teach them important life skills. I’m thinking about things like managing emotions - you know the anger and tantrums I’m talking about or learning about the effects of kindness, and as we are currently in the month of Love, teaching them self love and confidence.
"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." A.A.Milne, The complete tales and poems of Winnie-the-Pooh
I’ll obviously be sending my boys a tacky valentines card as always but actually, being surrounded by lots of red chocolate hearts and emotional cards got me thinking about finding something my boys could watch that is all about love for oneself and growing in confidence - so I went hunting around for something meaningful that would still excite them.
I actually found a beautiful short film by Pixar, La Luna. It's about a little brown haired boy who at the beginning of the film follows in his dad and grandads footsteps but by the end of the film grows in confidence and discovers his own style and belief in himself. It’s beautifully animated, the music is wonderfully calming, the plot is intriguing and with humour throughout - altogether charming.
So when the next rainy day came around and I was shoved the remote control in my face I suggested I show them a little film I came across and they agreed. It was obviously the starter before the main course but they agreed so I took my chance… and they LOVED IT! Enough to watch it twice actually! So click on the image above to view the film. I hope you love it as much as we did.
I’d love to hear what you think and please share any other short films you’ve come across that might help teach our kids the all important life skills we want them to take into adulthood! Thanks for reading!
Comments