What Lessons Can Disney Movies Teach Our Children?
As parents, we want our kids to learn as much as possible so they can grow into well-informed and emotionally intelligent beings. And while Disney animated movies are intended to be viewed as entertainment, there are certainly some lessons to be learned in some of these movies children adore. As parents, practice asking questions about some of the themes presented in these movies and see what your children think. Children are so curious and have a beautiful and innocent view on the world.
Spoiler Alert!
Moana
To have a sense of adventure and longing for travel. In Moana, she is told to stay on the island and never to leave, but Moana’s curiosity gets the best of her and she goes on a whirlwind adventure where she learns about herself and ultimately peace is restored for all.
Beauty and the Beast
Belle also longs for adventure in the great, wide somewhere! She’s tired of the same old of being stuck in her routine.
Not judging a book on its cover.
Being accepting of people who look different from you.
Befriending someone who is an outcast.
Encanto
One of Disney’s newest animated movies tells the magical tale of the family Madrigal of Colombia. The main character, Mirabel, goes on a journey of self-discovery and strengthens her family bond by emphasizing the importance of the inherent value we have, whether we possess “magical” gifts or not. The matriarchal grandmother desperately tries to keep the magic in the house by upholding great expectations, and when Mirabel realizes she doesn’t have any powers, she feels left out of her gifted family.
Mirabel sees “cracks in the foundation” of the home, highly symbolic of the pressure put on the family to maintain a perfect image. When Mirabel asks her oldest sister, Luisa, about the twitch in her eye, Luisa expresses how much pressure she’s under as being the one to carry all the burdens of everyone else. Mirabel envies her “perfect” sister Isabela who she constantly bickers with, only to realize that her sister is tired of upholding the perfect image.
This mending of their relationship is the catalyst for Mirabel mending her relationship with her grandmother. When the house crumbles, it is symbolic of the unpacking of all the family issues, which Mirabel bravely challenges, leading to the restoration of the house built anew.
For young children, the lessons to be learned in Encanto is that:
Family is stronger when we are able to understand one another
Nobody is perfect. Everyone is dealing with their own issues.
The Princess and the Frog
The story of The Princess and the Frog is told in a way like never before in the Disney animated movie. Tiana is the first black Disney princess, with her story set in New Orleans during the 1920s. She comes from a hard-working, humble family and aspires to own her very own restaurant. Unlike the story book, where the princess kisses the frog and turns him back into his prince form, she is turned into a frog as well. The two go on an adventure through the swamp to find the magic to be able to turn back into humans. Ultimately, they turn back into humans and Tiana gets her happy ending of owning her own restaurant.
The takeaway for children is that they should focus on aspirations for themselves and that hard work and perseverance will lead to their success.
Pocahontas
Though criticized for being an inaccurate portrayal of the real Pocahontas, if looked at as a fictional story, loosely based on real events, it is a story that can teach children about the importance of nature preservation, appreciating the beauty in the world and painting with the colors of the wind.
Tolerance and acceptance for people who look different than them.
Following your arrow.
Adventure is just around the riverbend for Pocahontas!
Cinderella
Kindness is key.
In standing the higher moral ground and working hard, good things will come to you.
After all, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.
Who is Cristina?
Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation too.
She specializes in Disney, Caribbean, Europe and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
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If you are ready to have the family vacation you’ve been dreaming of, without spending time researching, planning, and making it happen, schedule a call today. I’m here to help busy working Moms plan, organize and book the perfect family vacation. With me, all you have to worry about is enjoying your well-earned time away with your family. If you are ready to stop trying to do everything on your own and see how I can help you schedule a complimentary trip planning session now.
