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What age to begin the cinema experience?


chinaski

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The first two films I saw were ET and Bambi. I cried at both and was around 3 or 4 years old. I don't remember the films much but must have spent ages making scrap book's about them with my mum as I still have them now...along with the one of Charles and Di wedding :lol:

 

I think 3 is fine :)

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There was a discussion of this issue on one of the recent Mark Kermode/Simon Mayo film podcasts.

 

The conclusion was that it's very difficult to predict how a child of that age will respond to the cinema, and that it's generally not the subject matter which unsettles the child (given that their first experience will be of a U certificate film), but the fact that it's such a huge experience; sound and pictures are so much more all-encompassing than when they're experienced on DVD.

 

The discussion leaned towards the notion that three is still a little young for the cinema (if you ignore the fact that the babies who are taken are generally not aware of the environment in the same way that an older child would be). But then, as ever, it's for parents to judge their own children. Perhaps the only way you'll know if your child is ready for it is to take them, and be prepared to leave if s/he gets upset.

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my eldest sat though 'santa claus the movie' (over 2 hrs long !) when he was 3.

 

whilst my youngest still gets bored and figets now and shes 5 !!

 

totally depends on the child and what they're watching.

 

i know showroom cinema , kids festival, 'SHOWCOMOTION' starts in july - they are short films there and some favourites , bob the builder , pingu etc and they leave the house lights on a little and turn the volume down slightly to make it more welcoming for younger children and 1st timers - weve been for the past 3 yrs and even my youngest found something she enjoyed watching !!!

 

Google is your friend !

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.....but then, as ever, it's for parents to judge their own children. Perhaps the only way you'll know if your child is ready for it is to take them, and be prepared to leave if s/he gets upset.

 

Good advice, and that's how we approached it - he was three years four months I think - in his case, he loved it! (We kept an eye on him, especially in the more 'scary' moments, and asked him if it was scary - funny how a 'U'' certificate can take on that dimension! (We did go mindful of the fact that the cinema is a much more 'full on' experience than a DVD)

It was "The Tale of Despereaux" BTW

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I saw some little kids watching the first Harry Potter movie utterly terrified. Their parents should have removed them, but they made them sit through the whole movie. Poor kids were traumatised. They could only have been about 5.

 

I started to see movies when I was about six. I think six to eight is a decent time, but again, it entirely depends on the child.

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We have taken our kids from early ages. From the age of 3 they were aware of the films, and would sit engrossed with what was going on on-screen. It probably helps that we are a very film enthusiastic household, so they are introduced to movies at home from day one, so the cinema is just an experience to watch films on a bigger screen.

 

My own earliest memory is watching Star Wars when I was 4 waaaaay back when it was released. The impact the film had on me is one of the reasons I am a huge movie geek. My own parents used to take me and my sisters regularly to see films - apparantly I had seen Bambi and Dumbo before Star Wars, but they didn't impact on me like that did.

 

As a few people have said, it depends on the child. Parents should know themselves whether they think their child will be happy in cinema conditions.

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I think I'll take the risk and if she doesn't appear to be enjoying the film, or is too overwhelmed, I'll simply leave. We'll start off with somethings I know she'll enjoy The Terminator Salvation and if she's okay with that, then we'll stay and watch Drag Me To Hell. ;)

 

Does anyone know what the Saturday 10 a.m kids film is at Cineworld this week? No info on the web site.

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Does anyone know what the Saturday 10 a.m kids film is at Cineworld this week? No info on the web site.

 

 

Bolt 2D, Hotel For Dogs, and Bedtime Stories

 

The info usually goes online around 6pm every Monday as that is when we have finalised the films and screens for the upcoming week.

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