Movies for four year old BOY...

[mom0810]

...with an incredible imagination!

I have to be really careful with movies because he acts out EVERYTHING in them. Brother Bear from Disney was a disaster because he learned the word, "kill," and was running around saying he was going to "kill" this and "kill" that. (the boy in the movie kills a bear and then becomes a bear to teach him the value of a bear's life).

I thought Lady and the Tramp would be safe... but he pretends he is Tramp, who at the end of the movie KILLS the rat.

Pete's Dragon was okay...

I know boys tend more toward the violent side sometimes naturally... this is certainly nothing that we have talked about or intentionally exposed him to... but everything becomes a weapon... and he acts out scenes from movies using my broom as his sword, or whatever.

I had thought Disney movies would be somewhat safe, but even old ones like Pinocchio or Lady and the Tramp have some sort of violence in them!

What do you moms of young boys allow them to see? We buy DVD's as a treat and we are a family that loves movie night on the weekends. Air popped popcorn and cuddling on the couch ... but we need some movies that do not have any kind of violence in them, or anything that could BECOME violent, and I am just drawing a blank! Help would be so appreciated.

[~PurityLake~]

My daughter does the same thing. It's not a gender issue.

[limette]

I have girls but and they enjoy any of the Miyazaki films.

My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service have no violence at all in them.

The others have a bit more but are still really great movies.

[Savoir Faire]

It just happens...I know I had never shown my child a gun but yet he started turning things into "shooters." His best friend (at 2 and 3) also did it and he has a Norwegian mother...and I know SHE didn't do guns.

After we saw Annie, my kids ran around screaming KILL KILL KILL! We've just had to put a stop to the "kill" talk. I just don't like it.

My son is super into Lazy Town. Sportacus is the main character and he's all into being healthy and exercise. My 3-year-old now eats tons of apples because they call them "sports candy."

I haven't seen the whole movie but my children were watching Space Buddies this morning. Seemed cute.

If he likes musicals, I enjoyed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang...can't remember if there was violence but both of my kids loved it.

[Sailor]

I think there is a difference between violence and "Lady and the Tramp" ..."violence." When I was a nanny, all three of the kids (both genders) seemed to immediately pick up on any "violence" and then act it out during play time.

I don't think it's them actually killing someone or knowing what that even means all that well. I just think, usually, in such movies the pinnacle of the adventure is when the "bad" guy is defeated. So, naturally, kids want to act out the pinnacle of adventure.

Does Aladdin have violence? I remember enjoying that Disney movie as a kid. I watched it like 30 times (no kidding), but don't remember now if there were any bad scenes. All I remember is the adventure ... I think that's what most kids come away with.

There's Fern Gully ... which has violence in the sense that trees are cut down. I don't remember if anyone dies due to fighting, though.

There's always the old standbys: Lassie, Flipper, etc. Black and white and wholesome. I remember watching those at a friend's house.

[aquamam]

Mary Poppins is a big hit around here for our almost 4 year old!

[Sailor]

Oh, I just remembered one I loved - Bed Knobs and Broomsticks! I love that movie. Although, the movie does take place in England during war. So, maybe it's not what you're looking for.

[mom0810]

Sailor, he LOVES Fern Gully! I found it on Demand from Comcast and we watched it a couple of weekends ago. Again, there is "kill" talk, but that is about the trees. It was a nice opportunity to start to talk about conservation, which we have done and are working some lesson plans around.

You guys have some great suggestions. Mary Poppins is one of my all time faves!

I'm sorry if I stereotyped by saying he is a boy... I know of course girls play this way, too. I guess it's my embarrassment that my child is talking about 'killing' things or objects... when I have tried so hard to teach him a non violent way of life. By saying he is a boy I guess it makes the fact that he plays this way seem MORE natural.

Keep the suggestions coming. I do remember Kiki's Delivery Service. I think that was a good one, I will try to find it. As I recall, I sat through and watched it to the end even before I had kids, so it would be a good selection for movie night.

[aquamam]

Originally Posted by mom0810

Sailor, he LOVES Fern Gully! I found it on Demand from Comcast and we watched it a couple of weekends ago. Again, there is "kill" talk, but that is about the trees. It was a nice opportunity to start to talk about conservation, which we have done and are working some lesson plans around.

You guys have some great suggestions. Mary Poppins is one of my all time faves!

I'm sorry if I stereotyped by saying he is a boy... I know of course girls play this way, too. I guess it's my embarrassment that my child is talking about 'killing' things or objects... when I have tried so hard to teach him a non violent way of life. By saying he is a boy I guess it makes the fact that he plays this way seem MORE natural.

Keep the suggestions coming. I do remember Kiki's Delivery Service. I think that was a good one, I will try to find it. As I recall, I sat through and watched it to the end even before I had kids, so it would be a good selection for movie night.

here is a mothering article that may help give you some perspective on gun play
http://www.mothering.com/bang-bang-youre-dead

[mom0810]

Thanks for that link. I'll check it out.


Soo... you all don't think it's anything to worry about?