Dynamic Grandparenting: Sharing Movie Memories

Watching movies with the grandchildren is an easy and affordable type of entertainment. It’s also beneficial for both the grandparents and the grandchildren because it allows you to strengthen family bonds and create memories that will last throughout generations.

Brian Jacks, outreach director of AARP Virginia, hosted an online event, Dynamic Grandparenting: Sharing Movie Memories. The guest speaker, Dan Sherman, is a member of Virginia Tech’s Lifelong Learning Institute. Sherman opened the discussion with an interactive activity, asking the viewers to type their favorite movies in the chat section. Many participants noted in the chat several well-known movies such as Gone with the Wind, Star Wars and Casablanca, as well as a few Disney favorites. Sherman called them vintage movies because they were made many years ago, very popular, interesting and of superior quality. He said that long-lasting movies that are created with excellence and have endured many generations are considered classics. These movies were not only enjoyed with the older generation’s children but are now being enjoyed with their grandchildren. Good movies like The Wizard of Oz can be multi-generational and loved by all ages, he said.

Sherman also mentioned some other advantages to watching movies with grandchildren. He said that many movies are based on books, which will encourage grandchildren to read and, therefore, enhance their learning.

He suggested several ways to find good movies, including movie guides, books, and the names of authors, directors, and actors that you admire. Additionally, there are internet resources to help in finding the perfect movies. Time-out.com, IMDB and Google are just a few. Listed below are factors in selecting a movie:

· Age of the grandchild

· Something that you both are interested in.

· Family members (parents/siblings) can help, especially if the child is young.

· Ask grandkids what they like, then look for similar movie genres.

· Look for free family movies in your community.

There are a variety of types of movies to watch. Comedies like Home Alone, Back to the Future, and Big are favorites. Other film genres include animated films like Zootopia and Shrek; musicals such as Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music and more recent musicals like Hamilton; dramatic films such as Hidden Figures, The Ten Commandments, Rocket Boys and Chariots of Fire; and fantasy/sci-fi/action movies like ET and Lord of the Rings. Older grandkids seem to love dramatic films. Sherman noted to be sure to find age-appropriate movies by asking if sex or profanity is in the movie.

Movies can be enjoyable conversation starters that will strengthen family bonds and grow a relationship with grandkids in ways that are subtle and authentic, he said, and don’t forget the great songs that can be sung along with the musicals. The soundtracks from movies help supplement music education. Sherman emphasized that watching movies with grandkids can become one of your greatest family traditions.