In a dimmed-out theater filled with parents shushing their little ones to keep quiet, the iconic castle below colorful fireworks appears on screen, eliciting excitement as another Disney movie begins.
Because of the impact that childhood movies have on early development, they can hold a special, distinctive meaning. When pressing play, the viewer is transported back to the first time they enjoyed the film as a child, fostering nostalgia and prompting comfort through predictability.
Returning years later to the movies that shaped our youth, reflecting upon the progress, wisdom, and experience gained through age. Perceiving the world with childlike eyes through fondly recalling favorite characters, funny moments, and the feelings transports us to the first time we fell in love with our childhood movies.
As a culture, we are driven by the consumption of our environments, which can emerge into daily routine and contribute to individuality. For example, we mirror the mannerisms of family and friends and popular songs that become personal anthems. This phenomenon further rings true, during early development, as children are likely to model what is going on around them. “This is sometimes called ‘observational learning,’ when children can learn things simply by observing others. The models do not have to be people that the child directly interacts with,” Michigan State University Extension said.
This concept of children utilizing observational learning can be applied to consumption of movies, modeling the behaviors shown on screen. Through following and developing opinions on the plot, children’s movies help cultivate youth’s social intelligence and perception of the world around them. “I think the movies we watched as children impact who we are today because they shape our perspective of the world and how we might judge people because of the characters we see and how they were treated,” Wootton sophomore Anna Rusnock said.
The Bee Movie is Rusnock’s childhood favorite movie, rewatching the film numerous times. The movie showcases Barry the Bee, who ventures into a new endeavor as an alternative to honey and ends up making a meaningful revelation. “I found it very interesting and unique, and I liked the idea of a bee befriending a human,” Rusnock said.
For Wootton freshman Shayna Fleischer, Frozen is her favorite because it is different from other cliche princess movies. It features two sisters grieving the loss of their parents, overcoming years of isolation, and returning to the public eye to take on their royal obligations. “There was no prince. I also remember loving Elsa’s special powers and their bond as sisters,” Fleischer said.
The Parent Trap is a childhood favorite movie of Churchill sophomore Skylar Efrom. The 1998 classic follows a set of identical twins on a venture to reunite their separated family through switching identities after meeting at sleepaway camp. “It’s memorable because of the storyline and I like how the parents end up back together,” Efrom said.
A childhood movie that stands out as one of Wootton freshman Sarah Podberesky’s favorites is Inside Out. It highlights 11-year-old Riley undergoing a challenging move while articulating in a way appealing to children, how her emotions function and fluctuate. “It was so imaginative and creative. It made 8-year-old me so happy,” Podberesky said.
Movies from childhood emulate similarities to a time capsule, commemorating a simpler period, fundamental to development. Upon rewatching, these movies can remind us of their strong influence in shaping character.
Written by Hayley Gottesman
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons