Video Suggestions-for a family that has not exposed kids to much media

[SunnyOne]

Hi everyone,
I have to admit that I don't post on Mothering very often. I am hoping that some of you "mothering" moms can help me out. We have 2 boys, 4 and 8, who attend a Waldorf school. We made a very conscious decision, many years ago, to expose them to as little media as possible (no TV or video games). This is somewhat facilitated by the fact that we live in Switzerland. We have started introducing the occasional movie and I have decided that I would like to have some DVDs for occasional use. So with that as background, what I am looking for are things that are informative and age appropriate (I've tried looking on PBS and National Geographic but it was so difficult to tell what was good and I want to avoid large amounts of animal violence). I would also be interested in something that was fun and designed to teach reading in English (although we speak it at home, in school they learn in German). Since we live in Europe, downloads are ideal but my parents are coming to visit in September so I am thinking I can order a few things for them to bring. So, thank you all, in advance, for your suggestions.

Thanks, Sunny

[Ruthla]

Try looking for some really old Disney movies- from when Walt Disney was still alive. Those movies are simple, classic, wholesome, not "dumbed down for kids"- stuff the whole family can enjoy. In fact, Disney wasn't the only one making "family" movies in the 1950's and 60's- lots of the older stuff was meant for the whole family and didn't contain anything innapropriate for the little ones.

You can also check out common sense media for some in-depth reviews of movies and their opinions of its appropriateness for various age levels. I don't always agree with their recomendations (such as them telling me a movie is innapropriate for 15yos when I think it's fine for my 13 and 14yos) but they give enough details about what they consider problematic, so I can choose for myself. If there is graphic animal violence, it would say so.

[SunnyOne]

Thank you so much for the common sense website! I am finding it very useful. Thanks again, Sunny

[Youngfrankenstein]

We have always enjoyed Kipper. It is geared toward younger kids but I catch the older ones watching it too.

[Raene]

We're pretty anti-media here. The only thing my daughter has ever seen is yoga videos and Muzzy. For learning languages, I think Muzzy is great. I'd recommend that.

[SunnyOne]

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming!

[lalaland42]

We are moving to Zurich in 2 weeks.

My 4 year old was not exposed to much media until the last couple of months (packing) and she found Bambi to be a little scary. Although there isn't explicit violence, it is implied and DD got all worried about Bambi's mommy. It ended up being a good lesson on a lot of life topics but I wish I had put it off a little while.

We usually do Clifford or My Little Pony (bleh) but I have found DD also likes musicals. I showed her Fiddler on the Roof (skipping the violent wedding scene) and Sound of Music and she loved them. She wasn't so into Mary Poppins but it is definitely appropriate.

[SunnyOne]

Mary Poppins and Sounds of Music- great recommendations! Thanks. I told my husband that I think what I am deducing is that the best option is to focus on things made at least 25 yrs ago.

How great that you are coming this way! I don't want to sound desparate but I am starved for like-minded friends! Where are you from? Where in Zurich will you be living? Email me off line if you don't want to answer publically- [e-mail] That is so exciting!

[SunnyOne]

Forgot to mention, we live just outside Zurich! Technically, we're in Wermatswil but it's part of a bigger village called Uster.