Most of the children around the age of six or seven can now safely go to the movies and enjoy it. Going to the movies has long been a common family activity : to immerse yourself for an hour and a half or two in the beautiful adventures and experiences of cartoon characters is interesting for both adults and children . Most feature films have an age rating of 6+. What age is optimal for watching movies together and what should we remember when preparing to go to the movies with the child ?

Many experts are unequivocally of the same opinion that the first trip to the cinema should be postponed to four or even five years . First, at this age children are generally already familiar with the norms of common behavior . Second, the level of calm in five-year-olds is noticeably higher than in younger ones, especially if they are really interested and close to what is happening on the screen.

Third, the baby's eardrums are already more or less adapted to the excessive sound.

Be sure to warn the child that the cinema is dark and noisy, let him be prepared for this. Explain in detail what exactly is happening on the screen at the moment. Finally, just in case, be sure to bring something tasty - it will help you relax. You must also approach the choice of work responsibly: this should be an animated or family film , with priority given to films in which the main characters are animals . The simple plot line , the absence of too scary characters - all this is a good basis for both the novice moviegoer and his parents . When preparing to go to the movies with the child , in the first place, you should take into account his individual characteristics and preferences.

The child is born with an immature nervous system , and by a certain age his brain is simply not able to process all the streams of information that are poured on him when watching a movie on the big screen. It is important to understand that watching a movie is a serious test for the child 's nervous system: loud sound , darkness , you have to sit still for a long time , keep your attention on the plot, watch the rapidly changing pictures and strain your eyesight . you are .

Most of the children around the age of six or seven can now safely go to the movies and enjoy it. Children with a weak nervous system (those who quickly get tired of noise, crowds, the need to concentrate for a long time), as well as very mobile and active , need more time to mature their nervous system for such loads. If the question "To walk or not to walk?" Is whether the child will survive , then it is definitely too early to walk.

Depending on their age, children react differently to going to the cinema :

  • At the age of less than a year and a half, the attention is still unstable, they do not understand what is happening around, the pictures on the screen can interest them for a maximum of two or three minutes;
  • At the age of one and a half, they still do not realize the rules of behavior in public places , they speak loudly , despite the requests of mothers . The picture may interest them for about ten minutes;
  • At the age of two or three, children last up to 20 minutes in front of the screen, after which they look for a change of activity or start to be capricious in trying to attract the attention of their parents;
  • At the age of three or four they try to behave like adults , they can endure up to half an hour in the cinema, they try to talk in whispers ;
  • Five years is the optimal age for the first visit to the cinema: children can now behave well , watch with interest the plot of a full-length animation, can easily last up to an hour without visiting the toilet .

Young children often want to drink water.

You also need to prepare carefully for going to the cinema. First, always consider the interests of the child : if he likes cars , dragons or princesses , it is good to choose such animations in which they are present. Second, choose animated films whose plot will be available for understanding by the child, and specify in advance the age limits for the film . It is also advisable to preview the work yourself to determine how suitable it is for a children's screening . Find out from the cinema administrator if there are extra child seats . If not, you can take a pillow from home so that the child can see well what is happening on the screen and other viewers do not obscure his view . Discuss with the child the rules of behavior in the cinema : how he can behave, what is unacceptable, what to do if he gets bored, drinks water or goes to the toilet. Warn him that it will be dark in the hall so that he will not be surprised and frightened .

Useful tips for parents

Better to buy tickets for tomorrow's screening . The reason for this is not the lower price. In the morning there are usually fewer spectators and the kid will feel and keep calmer.

Before entering the hall, it is better to visit the toilet once more.

Bring something light to eat : popcorn, biscuits, fruit.

Young children often want to drink water - it is important to put water or juice in your bag. Carbonated drinks are not recommended: they are too sweet and cause even more thirst . In addition, they can provoke bloating.

You should not take tickets in the first four rows: it is harmful for children to sit so close to the screen - it is very stressful for their eyes.

It is not recommended to take children under the age of seven to 3D or 4D movies.

For a child prone to anxiety , it is good to take a small toy or anti- stress ball so that he can relieve the tension by holding it in his hands.

The first screenings should not last long. If you see that the child is tired or uncomfortable, you should not force him to stay until the end of the screening.

Cinema is not only watching a movie, but also a way to relax and have fun with the whole family , after the screening to discuss what you saw, to share emotions . It is this setting that will make going to the movies interesting and unforgettable and will teach the child to express their impressions .

In preschool , the imitation of an adult child is very tangible. It often plays the role of the parent in story games . And, of course, one of the plots is going to the movies. Therefore, cinema can become a whole event in a child's life , the experience of which will give him a rich experience - sensory and emotional.

When preparing for the first movie, it is important for parents to keep a few things in mind. It would be good to choose an animated film to start with - the most familiar, understandable and close the child's form for submitting material. The first screenings should not last long. You can observe the child during his favorite activity to make a conclusion about how long he endures calmly in an interesting situation for him and how much time he can devote without much stress to his favorite game .

If during the screening his child gets bored or scared, cried , it is better to leave the cinema and calm him down, directing his attention to some other bright object. After the film, you must discuss the plot with the child , his perception of the characters and their behavior . It is important to remember that something strange or frightening can stay in your memory for a long time the child. This will be difficult for him to deal with, as it is difficult for preschoolers to verbalize their feelings . Parents should be very careful about 3D, 4D movies. For first visits, such films may be too complex to perceive .