Helpful Hints if You're Taking Your Child to the Movies For the First Time

Educational experts behind Noggin help parents and kids get ready for 'PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie' and more.

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

Let’s set the scene. Your child has been waiting for a special movie outing for quite a while, and now it’s finally here. They enter the large, dark, air-conditioned theater and sit down in front of a screen 20 times the size of their television at home. There's now a two-hour stretch ahead for them to enjoy their favorite characters in action on the big screen, and for you to bask in them being silent for more than two minutes.

But before you bask in the glow of this blissful thought, you might want to pause and rewind. Consider these inconvenient truths, which have fresh resonance in the “post-pandemic” era.

Your child is afraid of the dark. Loud noises startle them. They’re used to watching content on a screen five inches from their face. And the only time they’ve been silent and still for two hours is when they’re sleeping. You wonder—how will this new experience actually go for my child?

As experts in the field who advise media leaders such as Noggin, Nick Jr.’s early learning platform, we are excited to share in your child’s first (or one of their first) movie theater experience with the upcoming release of PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie on September 29.

Here are some useful tips to prepare your kids (and you!) for this new experience so that everyone can enjoy the magic of the big screen.

Set the Stage

When introducing your child to new experiences, letting them know what they can expect can help them feel more prepared and secure.  Discuss what they will see and do at the movie theater in advance: why it will be dark, who they’ll see on screen, and how many other kids and families may be there.

Emphasize the amazing aspects of seeing a movie in a big theater! For instance, being able to hear other people’s reactions and laughter makes you feel connected with them. Dressing up as your favorite character can make the event feel special and exciting.

Let them know that in a theater, other people will also be there enjoying the movie. So it’s important to listen closely and not call out or run around as they might at home. They might also be in a tighter space than they are when they watch movies at home. Practice before you go by sitting more closely together at home to watch something and showing them comfy positions to sit while keeping hands and feet to themselves.

Lights, Camera...

If the theater allows, it can be helpful to bring some familiar, healthy snacks from home to munch on as they watch. You can even have kids put snacks into individual bags and select one special treat for the theater.

Some children have sensitivities to loud sounds; consider buying or borrowing child-sized earphones that muffle the sound. You can say, “We’ll use these headphones as our super ears during the movie.”

For children with special needs, check your local theaters to see if they offer a sensory-friendly film program—lots of them do! This typically involves having the lights on, the sound down, and fewer restrictions on movement and talking.

...Action!

Before the movie starts, help kids get some of their energy out by having a wiggle session where they run in place and stretch out their arms and legs. Let them know that they can tell you when they need a break during the movie and you can bring them outside of the theater. Make up a special hand squeeze or phrase they can do to indicate when they need a break.

It goes without saying, but a good reminder is to make sure everyone visits the restroom before the movie starts. Inevitably though there may be potty breaks, so have a plan.

After the movie, ask them what they enjoyed—and what surprised them. Encourage kids to become their favorite characters and replay their favorite movie moments. This will help build their connection to the beloved characters, which supports their engagement and learning with educational content.

Special Offer for Parents' Readers

Get charged up for PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie with Noggin, the award-winning learning platform where kids play and learn with all of their favorite Nick Jr. characters. Noggin is the only place where kids can play PAW Patrol: The Mighty Game and develop problem-solving skills while helping Liberty and Skye save Adventure City.

You can try Noggin for free for 60 days, an exclusive offer only for Parents families! Just visit this special link from Noggin to get started.

About Our Guest Authors

Brittany Sommer Katzin, Ed.M., is the Director of Learning & Impact at Nickelodeon

Michael Levine, PhD, is the Senior Vice President of Paramount and the Chief of Learning and Impact at Noggin

Related: The Best Kids' Movies of 2023

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Read the original article on Parents.