Alice in Wonderland toddler suitability
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I'd just add that the American Association of Pediatricians AAP - Media guidelines[^] suggests no screens at all for children under 2 and I'm personally hedging my bet by a few more years past that. Though, I have shown my son a few short videos directly related to things he was interested in like nature shows. I do stay away from any cartoons or fantasy, as he's still completely engaged figuring out the the world around him without me adding a bunch of nonsense that is just going to confuse him. It's hard though, there are so many fun shows and movies that I can't wait to experience with him.
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Thanks Andy. My son already watched movies on TV - well short ones meant for kids (45-50 mins max). But he's never had a big screen in the darkness experience. Anyway we'll wait an year more.
Regards, Nish
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Definitely a bit N-O from me. Read through this[^] and see why. Our girl's first movie was at the age of 3. She found it very loud and even though it was an animated kids show aimed at very young kids, it was too long for her in that setting. 4 years old would have been a better bet, I think. Tips for the first timer: 1) Use the booster seat they have stacked at the entrance. It keeps the seat from flipping up with them in it when they're that small. 2) Cover their ears before the previews start. They're shockingly lout to a little kid. 3) Read the parent's advisory at IMDB.com first. Prepare yourself for any scary parts and be ready to cover eyes if necessary. That can be the difference between making it to the end and leaving half way through. 4) If, after reading the parent's advisory you're not sure if the movie will be appropriate, DON'T GO. So many people do it the other way around. 5) When kiddo says it's time to go, it's time to go. Assume you'll be leaving part way through. Hope that helps. Cheers, Drew.
Thanks for the info, Drew. Yeah, we are going to wait at least an year longer.
Regards, Nish
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I've got a 4 year old boy and we took him to his first movie recently during a 'cry baby' matinée and it was still a bit much. But, if you want your little one to see Alice in Wonderland with you it might be fun to read 'Through The Looking Glass' to your little guy and then rent the movie.
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Thanks Chris. It's useful to hear everyone's personal experiences with this. This is a great thread! :thumbsup:
Regards, Nish
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Our first movie was The Little Mermaid. Sounded pretty harmless. Three tickets, popcorn, candy, drinks. Small loan to pay it all off... Didn't even make it through the opening credits which featured a ship going down in a thunderstorm as I recall.
Thanks Robert.
Regards, Nish
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harold aptroot wrote:
This new Alice in Wonderland scares me, and that is not usually an easy thing to do.
:-D Thanks Harold. We are going to wait some more time.
Regards, Nish
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Based on the trailers, the new Alice movie I wouldn't recommend for under-12's.
Thanks Phil.
Regards, Nish
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No. Catherine (she's nearly 8) went to see this film with a friend and her family. The kids were seriously freaked out by it; especially by Johnny Depp.
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Thank you Pete. It's great that so many people have replied to this question. Really good to know people's experiences with this.
Regards, Nish
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Good god man, ae you serious? Sit on the sofa, put on a 1 1/2 hour DVD, turn out the lights and see how long he sits on the sofa with you. In my experience you'd be lucky to get more than ten minutes of attention. OTOH you could take him just before nap time, he'll hopefully nod off and you can watch it. BTW PLEASE when you eventually do take him, don't take him to a 'normal' screening - find a time when the cinema runs a toddlers viewing - they're fun (for about 4 year olds IMHO) as they're tollerated running around and yelling out questions.
___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
Thanks _Maxxx_. We'ce deciced not to take him now and to wait an year longer. This has been a great thread. Thank you everyone. I tried to reply to everyone who replied but I may have missed one or two out. This has been a great thread! :thumbsup:
Regards, Nish
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Mark Wallace wrote:
On the whole, though, the only reason I'd be against Alice is the 3D glasses.
Well I had already picked a non-3D movie place for this. Anyway we decided not to take him to a movie for a while.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
My latest book : C++/CLI in Action / Amazon.com linkSeriously, don't take the kind of reply you've been getting seriously. Children are so incredibly robust, if you let them be so. It's your reaction to things that can upset/frighten/worry them. For a pretty extreme example: -- Alien: If you watch this for the first time, you will be tense and nervous. This will make your lad tense and nervous, and, because he doesn't really know what he's being tense and nervous about, he'll be in a terrible mood, and fearful. -- Aliens: If you watch this for the first time, you will be excited and thrilled (it's a different kind of movie, and they're both made well). This will make your lad excited and thrilled, etc, watching the nasty monsters get smushed. The difference? You. If you act like he's going to be frightened, he will be frightened, have nightmares, the works. If you act like you're having fun, when watching bad-guys (and especially monsters) get beaten, he will join you in your fun. Kids aren't afraid of monsters. Parents are afraid of monsters. Children depend heavily on their parents for knowing what to feel and how to react to the world. If you show no fear, he will know no fear. To quote one of my favourite songs: "Momma's gonna put all of her fears into you..."
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So YOU'RE the parent in every movie I've ever been to with the screaming kid. :rolleyes: Why get him hooked on movies so early? I'd say, make him think books are the most exciting priviledge in the world, then show him movies before his friends get that opportunity. On the other hand, I'm only 25, so please disregard everything I say relating to parenthood. ;P
aspdotnetdev wrote:
make him think books are the most exciting priviledge in the world
That's a brilliant comment. Well said.
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Thanks Phil.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
My latest book : C++/CLI in Action / Amazon.com linkSorry for the short initial reply Nish, I should have been more thorough. I've got 2 3/4 old, and based on the trailers, the movie just doesn't come on the radar. - Claire (daughter) has the attention span to last an hour, most kids that age do if it is a TV show or something visual they are really interested in. - The subject matter is very dark, as Alice in Wonderland should be. As far as I can tell the original story was never meant to be a super colourful kid-fantasy. - Given the choice between Alice, and an endless number of other options far more educational in an obvious way, Wiggles, Hi-5, read stories, go for a walk through the botanical gardens, lots of options - If you want to share with them a movie experience, The Wiggle in Australia had cinema screenings of their Big Tour which your child would likely love for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. And the stage show recording is actually pretty entertaining for adults if you get into the right mindset. I've no idea on the international availability of the movie though, I wouldn't be surprised if it made it to some cinemas outside Australia. - I've taken Claire to see Bee Movie (well me and wife really, Claire came along for ride) and a couple of other movies I can't recall. Claire typically lasts 30 minutes to half an hour until one of us takes her outside for a bit. - I would only take a near teen to see Alice because it contains some really deep themes, and while younger kids understand and can discuss them, they are presented in a darker way which I think would get in the way of the discussion, rather than enhance it. Hopefully that gives more context to my answer
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I've got a question for CPian parents here (uncles and aunts too I guess). Would the non 3D version of Alice in Wonderland be suitable for a 2 year old? He has never even been to a movie so far, so that's another factor. Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
My latest book : C++/CLI in Action / Amazon.com linkI cried during Dumbo (so I am told) and had to be taken out, so FSM knows how I'd have reacted to Alice in Wonderland in 3D.
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Ummm...it's all made up, you know. I can't remember the last time I was truly scared by a film, if ever.
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Ummm...it's all made up, you know. I can't remember the last time I was truly scared by a film, if ever.
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Seriously, don't take the kind of reply you've been getting seriously. Children are so incredibly robust, if you let them be so. It's your reaction to things that can upset/frighten/worry them. For a pretty extreme example: -- Alien: If you watch this for the first time, you will be tense and nervous. This will make your lad tense and nervous, and, because he doesn't really know what he's being tense and nervous about, he'll be in a terrible mood, and fearful. -- Aliens: If you watch this for the first time, you will be excited and thrilled (it's a different kind of movie, and they're both made well). This will make your lad excited and thrilled, etc, watching the nasty monsters get smushed. The difference? You. If you act like he's going to be frightened, he will be frightened, have nightmares, the works. If you act like you're having fun, when watching bad-guys (and especially monsters) get beaten, he will join you in your fun. Kids aren't afraid of monsters. Parents are afraid of monsters. Children depend heavily on their parents for knowing what to feel and how to react to the world. If you show no fear, he will know no fear. To quote one of my favourite songs: "Momma's gonna put all of her fears into you..."
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
I love Pink Floyd. And yes, most fears are learned. I was never afraid of spiders because my dad taught me not to be, when he moved away for work for a while, I learned to be afraid as my mother and sister were afraid. Now I'm afraid, and jump whenever I see one! Although I was scared watching Aliens, even though my parents liked it. I'd wait for the film to come out on DVD and watch it at home, at least then you can stop it and come back later if the kid loses interest.
You don't have to be mad to live here [UK], but it helps.
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Seriously, don't take the kind of reply you've been getting seriously. Children are so incredibly robust, if you let them be so. It's your reaction to things that can upset/frighten/worry them. For a pretty extreme example: -- Alien: If you watch this for the first time, you will be tense and nervous. This will make your lad tense and nervous, and, because he doesn't really know what he's being tense and nervous about, he'll be in a terrible mood, and fearful. -- Aliens: If you watch this for the first time, you will be excited and thrilled (it's a different kind of movie, and they're both made well). This will make your lad excited and thrilled, etc, watching the nasty monsters get smushed. The difference? You. If you act like he's going to be frightened, he will be frightened, have nightmares, the works. If you act like you're having fun, when watching bad-guys (and especially monsters) get beaten, he will join you in your fun. Kids aren't afraid of monsters. Parents are afraid of monsters. Children depend heavily on their parents for knowing what to feel and how to react to the world. If you show no fear, he will know no fear. To quote one of my favourite songs: "Momma's gonna put all of her fears into you..."
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
Mark Wallace wrote:
Kids aren't afraid of monsters. Parents are afraid of monsters. Children depend heavily on their parents for knowing what to feel and how to react to the world. If you show no fear, he will know no fear.
Very true!
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Mark Wallace wrote:
Kids aren't afraid of monsters. Parents are afraid of monsters. Children depend heavily on their parents for knowing what to feel and how to react to the world. If you show no fear, he will know no fear.
Very true!
My two year old is not afraid of monsters. We have taught her that monsters dont exist to hurt you and generally they are funny. She even plays monster and makes monster noises. Same thing with robots. She does the robot dance and talks like a robot. But she is afraid of snakes. I think her mother must have gotten to her when I wasn't looking.
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CaptainSeeSharp wrote:
Powerful experiences might cause serious changes in the development of his mind. I think it is a bad idea for toddlers and preteens to watch TV, unless its a real wholesome show.He might be traumatized and permanently effected.
Jesus wept. You've never had kids, then? You forgot to add: -- Buy lots of cotton wool, to wrap him in, 24 hours a day. -- Throw away all the knives, forks, and spoons with a bit of a sharp edge. -- Burn any furniture and knock down any walls that don't have two-inch padding. ... And, for God's sake, keep him away from all other children! There's no telling what awful diseases that might be carrying!
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
LMAO! Thank you so much....I was thinking the same thing when I read that! Better that you, the parent or guardian, expose the child...than somebody else down the line... Honestly, about the movie -- probably not the right movie for a 2 year old. But my kids started going to movies at 3 years old. Disney's Brother Bear, Over the Hedge, The Incredibles, Monster's Inc, Chicken Little, etc.
"Is it normal to hear 'My server doesn't work. Did you rebuild the database?' " - quotes from old work places lead to the most interesting conversations....
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Seriously, don't take the kind of reply you've been getting seriously. Children are so incredibly robust, if you let them be so. It's your reaction to things that can upset/frighten/worry them. For a pretty extreme example: -- Alien: If you watch this for the first time, you will be tense and nervous. This will make your lad tense and nervous, and, because he doesn't really know what he's being tense and nervous about, he'll be in a terrible mood, and fearful. -- Aliens: If you watch this for the first time, you will be excited and thrilled (it's a different kind of movie, and they're both made well). This will make your lad excited and thrilled, etc, watching the nasty monsters get smushed. The difference? You. If you act like he's going to be frightened, he will be frightened, have nightmares, the works. If you act like you're having fun, when watching bad-guys (and especially monsters) get beaten, he will join you in your fun. Kids aren't afraid of monsters. Parents are afraid of monsters. Children depend heavily on their parents for knowing what to feel and how to react to the world. If you show no fear, he will know no fear. To quote one of my favourite songs: "Momma's gonna put all of her fears into you..."
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
Another example: Taught my daughter that bugs were cool. My son (older than his sister) freaked out when she tried to "pet a bee". In turn, she got freaked out, and now is screamingly scared of all flying insects. Fear is taught...
"Is it normal to hear 'My server doesn't work. Did you rebuild the database?' " - quotes from old work places lead to the most interesting conversations....
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Maximilien wrote:
IMO, no; not because of the movie itself, the kid is too young to comprehend what's going on , but because movies (in general) are loud, and that kids of that age need more attention than what you cou ld give them at a viewing. Me think you should take turn to go see the movie, or get a babysitter.
Thanks Maximilien. I was primarily thinking of introducing him to the whole concept of watching a movie on the big screen. The 3D won't work since it's unlikely he'll keep the glasses on the whole time. I guess I'll wait till he's a little older and also for a more kid-friendly movie, like Finding Nemo.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
My latest book : C++/CLI in Action / Amazon.com linkMy son will be 3 years old on April 3rd. He already got a pretty good grasp on movies. He memorized pretty much all lines of Shrek 1 and 2 and has a pretty good understanding on the movies' plot. However that didn't when he turned 2, it started to happen about 5 months after that. Before that he could hardly keep his attention to the movie. I agree that the movie theater is too loud for him. He will get scared and perhaps get an early trauma of going to movie theaters. You should definitely avoid taking him to the movies for now. And yes, there are more kid-friendly movies that would be better for him: Try, Finding Nemo (my son's first favorite), Shrek, Ice Age, and others alike.