Movies have a way of influencing how we think and behave, and when the story is entertaining, we can easily become swept up in the movie and can walk away having learned something valuable. So when choosing movies for our kids we really want them to gain some powerful life lessons.
My kids LOVE to watch movies and it makes me feel so much better about lounging in front of the television when we can sit and talk later about what they learned from the movie. I even end up catching myself shedding a few tears as I become affected by the powerful messages!
While most kids movies are made to leave you with a general good feeling and positive message, there are some really great movies out there, that all ages can enjoy, that really hit you right where they need to and truly leave an impact. Here are some kids movies with the best life lessons for young and old.
Cinderella
I will admit, Cinderella was never my favorite princess movie growing up, but once I watched the live action version, I became so much more aware of the wonderful message we can learn from Cinderella’s character. As most Disney princesses are, Cinderella is full of kindness and patience, as well as a quiet gentleness. Experiencing great loss and having her life as she knew it stripped away, she continued to have a positive attitude and show love towards others.
In the live action the line that truly stuck was spoken to her by her mother before she passed away as she encouraged Ella to always “have courage and be kind”. Cinderella kept this with her and when she was being treated poorly, she bravely stood up for herself and she never gave up on her dreams. For me though, one of the most powerful messages kids can learn from this movie is the power of forgiveness, watching Cinderella offer her step mother forgiveness after all the horrible ways she treated her.
©Walt Disney Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection