It may sound completely ridiculous, but whenever I face a really trying task, I still remember this little song I learned as a child. The song spoke of how every job that must be done held an element of fun. If you could find this element, the job would become a game. Now, while every task that I undertake may not exactly become a piece of cake, I’ve found that the creed still serves me well and when I do find that little element, the job goes from being seemingly impossible to completely do-able.
That little nugget of knowledge came from, of course, the Walt Disney film, “Mary Poppins”, as Mary attempted to convince the Banks Children to clean their room. The song was “A Spoonful of Sugar.”
Looking back on my life, I’m amazed at some of the things that those Disney films taught me. They instilled many values in my life (with the help of my Mother, of course) that serve me even in the toughest situation.
So, what can your children learn from the Disney Classics? Here, for you, is a list of Disney films and the values that they can help instill in your child:
Synopsis:
The Beast, once a handsome prince, is turned into a hideous beast by an enchantress disguised as an old hag. Revolted by her appearance, he turns her away and thus, she sheds her skin and places him under a spell that can only be broken when he proves himself not to be the judgmental person he already is and love others.
Becoming a recluse, the Beast places Belle’s father in prison for trespassing on his property. Belle goes to the Beast and offers herself as a replacement. At first repulsed by the Beast, Belle begins to try and understand the Beast and eventually falls in love with him, much to the dismay of Gaston, a villain who is in love with Belle.
Moral of the Story:
Appearances are a big part of Beauty and the Beast. When the Beast judges the enchantress by her appearance, he reaps the consequences. Later, Belle has to fight her first judgments about the Beast. Beauty and the Beast is a great story that teaches kids not to judge people based on the way they look, but instead, what is inside them.
Beauty and the Beast is also a story of forgiveness as Belle must forgive the Beast for his misgivings.
Synopsis:
Simba is the son of Mufasa, who is the Lion King. When Scar, Mufasa’s vengeful brother, kills Mufasa and convinces Simba that he caused his own father’s death, Simba exiles himself from his father’s kingdom. Simba grows up with only his friends, Timon and Pumbaa, until his childhood friend, Nala, finds him and convinces him to come back and save his rightful kingdom from the clutches of Scar.
Moral of the Story:
“Remember who you are.” The Lion King is a powerful story about finding your destiny and family ties. When Simba discovers that his mother and friends are suffering at the hand of Scar, he returns to his homeland to save them and claim his place on the throne.
Synopsis:
Woody, a toy cowboy, is Andy’s favorite toy. That is, until Buzz Lightyear, a space cadet from “infinity and beyond”, takes Woody’s place as Andy’s favorite toy. When Woody causes Buzz to fall out the window, Woody is accused by the other toys of being a toy murderer. Not only that, but Andy is distraught over the loss of his new toy. Woody now must swallow his pride and save Buzz Lightyear from the dangers of the outside world. As Woody and Buzz attempt to make it back home, they become friends and Woody discovers that there’s room for him in Andy’s heart along with Buzz.
Moral of the Story:
As Woody and Buzz become friends, Woody learns to care more about the welfare of his friend than his standing as “Top Toy.” Toy Story is a tale of friendship and how powerful it can be when friends put each other above their own selfish goals.
There are many more Disney films out there with fantastic values and morals represented in their storylines. It was Jiminy Cricket after all who stated, “Let your conscience be your guide.” Many of these great films will have messages that stay with your child for years to come. After all, at 28, I still incorporate that lesson from Mary Poppins into my work. You’ll be amazed at the difference a great film can make in your child’s life.
Photo Credit: blogs.longwood.edu