Love comes in many shapes and forms. It means different things to different people.
So it can be tricky to teach our children true love as love should be lived out daily for their young minds to comprehend and understand the concept better. But we should do it anyway, as love will be the foundation of everything they will do as they move forward in life.
Thinking of a creative way to teach them about love? We suggest using the magic of storytelling by watching the following movies that are heartwarming and replete with beautiful life lessons:
1. A Walk To Remember (2002)
If you need one to remind your teenager that love should be sincere and sweet, better schedule this film for your family movie night. Based on the book of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, A Walk To Remember shows us that the love between a bad boy high schooler and the kind daughter of a church minister, although short-lived, can have a positive impact on each other’s lives. It’s a love that makes someone want to become a better version of themselves.
2. Finding Nemo (2003)
Here’s a movie that both the young ones and young once will probably never get sick of watching over and over again. Experts call it the ultimate parenting movie — and how! There are so many lessons to pick up from this beautifully animated film, including letting go and trusting your child, raising kids to never give up and persevere amidst adversities (“Just keep swimming!”), and learning from your little one. This love story between father and son is one that will surely tug at the heartstrings!
3. Little Women (2019)
Based on a well-loved literary classic, this period film shows how four sisters work on finding their place in the world while discovering things about themselves along the way. It’s a good movie to teach your little ones that although siblings have different personalities and dreams, they are united by love. And it’s just one of the many lovely lessons this movie is filled with!
4. Encanto (2021)
There is no perfect family — and as this hit movie points out, even families who possess magical powers cannot escape the bitter reality of broken relationships. Aside from the catchy songs (“We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no!”) and adorable characters, what’s most inspiring about the movie is its central theme: forgiveness. The movie highlights the importance of forgiveness to solve misunderstandings and bring back family bonds.
5. The Sound of Music (1965)
Based on the real life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, this classic of a film dishes out lesson after lesson all throughout. We see how there is a seemingly distant relationship between the strict disciplinarian father and his seven children, but it eventually improves when he makes an effort to be closer to them — thanks to the kindhearted Maria, who teaches one and all many important values such as courage, integrity, hope, and perseverance.
6. Up (2009)
Be ready to cry your eyes — and heart! — out in this well-loved animated film that proves, more than anything, that true love can last a lifetime (and even beyond). The love between Carl and Ellie knows no bounds and is a lesson on sticking with each other through all of life’s ups and downs. The main man’s love for his lady allows him to work on achieving dreams and fulfilling promises even when she’s no longer around.
7. High School Musical (2006)
Here’s a nice movie to entertain your pre-teen or teenage kid while they pick up lessons on friendship and being true to yourself. At an age when they are trying to figure out who they are, your child will be reminded by this flick that they are not meant to be a one-dimensional character because they are meant to evolve and discover more things about themselves as they grow. And as they go through all of that, they are not alone because they have friends who will cheer them on and stay by their side.
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