at what age would you first take a child to see a movie?

Question

the earliest movie i remember seeing was some disney cartoon movie at about age 5. i tend to think kids will have plenty of time to see movies, so teach them to read and appreciate books when they're younger instead.

also, i don't know that a 2 or 3 yr old would comprehend or remember a movie anyway, so what's the point?

Answer 1

I think that a child should be old enough to sit still for 2.5 hours before they see a movie, I'm assuming you are referring to in a movie theater. It should always be age appropriate and you should be able to communicate with your child about it. This means that some kids may be able to go to a movie at the age of 3 but most of them should probably be somewhere between 4 and 6 before going to a theater and some kids will still not meet those requirements by that age.

As to seeing movies in the home I think that reading is much more important. Parents should always be aware of how much the tv is on and what is on the tv while children are around. It should be limited by content and volume and parents should have an active reading life that does not include reading to their kids so that the kids see that reading isn't just for kids but that adults even read in their spare time.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

My parents instilled the importance of reading books at a very early age. I could recognize letters and "read" simple words by 19 months old. I guess that's why I would now rather curl up with a book than go to the movies. But it is ok to let kids watch movies at home at any age. My friends daughter used to watch "Finding Nemo" when she was 9 mos old. I bought her a stuffed clown fish and when I would ask her "Where's Nemo?" she would bring me the toy. So on some level she did understand. Disney movies and movies like "Timmy the Tooth" are good for young children because the sent important messages in a fun way that kids enjoy and understand. I don't think kids should go to a theater until they are about 5 years old. Their attention span isn't long enough and not to mention their bladders aren't developed enough to sit through an entire movie. For my step-daughter I like to try and incorporate books and movies together. She read "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" before we took her to the movies and then we could discuss the differences and which format she enjoyed more. We did the same with "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and older movies like "Matilda". This way she can enjoy books and movies both separately and together.

Answer 4

depends on the child. My daughter didn't have enough interest in a whole movie till she was about 5 yet i went to the movies with my kids and a friend bought her twin 18 month olds who watched all of Finding Nemo without a wiggle or a squirm. Yes they didn't enjoy it on the same level as my 5 year olds but no one can tell me they didn't enjoy it! If a child can sit at home for a 1 1/2 hr movie than this is when they are ready for the real deal

Answer 5

As a preschool teacher, I would say from ages three and a half upwards. It is around this age that children start to become more and more aware of their surroundings in a non-egocentric way. I remember watching ET when I was three and I remember it clearly!

Naturally, though, one would take a child of that to a movie that would appeal and relate to them - something animated e.g. Madagascar or the Wild.

Movies are different to watching TV and much more "real" if I can put it that way, I think there's nothing wrong with taking your little one to watch a movie. The necessity of reading out loud to a child is a whole other topic...

Hope that I could help ;)

Answer 6

To take to the theatre, it depends on the movie. If it's a kid movie anyway, a young child wouldn't be a problem. Even a 3yo will probably have fun. Oh well if they don't remember it later, the important part is that they enjoyed it. I'm sure there's lots of exciting things in my life they I probably couldn't remember even half of, but I do know I've had a lot of good times.
However, if it wasn't specifically a kids movie, you'd want to judge by how well they handle special events. If a child tends to get overexcited and stops responding to specific behavior requests, you'd probably want to hold off til later.

Answer 7

We used to have a small theater near us that was pretty empty during the day, so I remember taking my daughter to see a Winnie the Pooh movie at about 2 or so. We only went to a few when she was that little, and sometimes we'd stay, and sometimes we'd leave. Her godfather takes her to the movies every time he comes to town, and she's only 5 1/2 now, but she's much better about staying through it.

She also went to the ballet with her grandmother at 4, and loved it, but only stayed for half. This year, they went again and stayed for the whole thing.

It really depends on the child, the theater, and the movie.

Answer 8

This totally depends on the child. My oldest saw his first movie 2 months before turning 3. He sat through it and talked about it forever afterwards.
My second I attempted at 3 1/2 but the movie "the Incredibles" was too long for him and we had to leave . At 41/2 we tried again and he did much better.
My daughter is 3 and not ready yet.

Answer 9

My daughter went to see her first movie at age 5. She sat through it without wanting to get up, talk, or go to the bathroom. I would suggest you wait until your child is fully potty trained and can wait a couple of hours between going. I would also suggest when you get to the theater, you have your child go to the bathroom. Before you leave home, I would talk to your child about what is going to happen and what behaviors that you are willing to accept. I would also suggest maybe going to an afternoon movie (usually less crowded and cheaper). If your child starts acting up, I would whisper in a firm voice, if you continue we are going home. Then if it keeps up, leave. Also, it helps if it is a movie that the child is greatly interested in.
Now that my daughter is 6 (who just finished up with kindergarten/first grade and now working on second grade stuff), we take her to see a movie about once a month. But because nothing in life is free she needs to do "extra" chores at home to earn the movies. She does things outside of keeping her room and toys tidy, like helping with dinner, setting the table, vaccuuming, feeding/water the dog, etc. Her bedroom is not considered extra chores because that is her space and if she wants it messy when friends come over, then that is her problem.
Maybe a suggestion here, but tell your children that if they want to go to a movie they have to read for so many hours a day/week/month.

Answer 10

I take my 3 & 4 12 months previous to the flicks at the same time as cartoons are out. They sit down nevertheless and watch the action picture and not using a situation. My friends little female is merely about 2 and he or she would also sit down by maximum of a movie. I actually have talked about 5,6 ,7 & 8 12 months previous little ones which will throw suits in a theater although. It relies upon on the baby. in case you imagine he will sit down by the action picture then bypass for it. If he starts off appearing up you may continuously get up and go away.