There are a couple of days left until the arrival of 2022 and the enthusiasm to start a new year invades us, so we are already thinking about our resolutions. From finding a partner, having a baby, losing weight, traveling more among many others, for each of these resolutions there is a ritual to carry out as we receive the New Year. Do you already have yours?
The celebration of the New Year is a long-awaited party, and the rituals cannot be missed: eating grapes, wearing colored underwear, getting under the table to find a partner, and so on. These traditions have passed from generation to generation, some people think that if they carry a ritual out, they will meet their goals for the coming year. Here are the most famous.
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A grape per chime
Eating a grape in each chime in the first minutes of the coming year is the most famous ritual. According to tradition, you must make a wish for each of the 12 grapes, this represents the resolutions you will fulfill throughout the year.
The origin of this ritual is not clear. It is thought that it started in France around the 19th century and from there it spread throughout Europe and reached Mexico, as well as other Latin American countries. Other versions point out that around 1880 in an area of vineyards in Spain, there was a surplus harvest and the people started eating the grapes.
One grape for each month of the year. Photo: Shutterstock
Cleaning the house
Carrying out a deep cleaning of our home, to get rid of bad energies and have space for the new items, is another of the New Year’s rituals.
Cleaning the home makes room for the new items. Photo: Shutterstock
Lentils for dinner
This dish is associated with abundance, people use to eat a plate to attract it. The relationship between lentils and prosperity dates back to the Romans, who after winter, and to celebrate the beginning of a new year celebrated in March, ate lentils because they believed that their nutritional properties gave them strength for combat.
Lentils are associated with prosperity. Photo: Shutterstock
Wearing new, colorful underwear
Red is for love, yellow is for money, black is for sex, white is for harmony and peace… depending on your resolutions, you must wear a particular color of underwear on the night of December 31st to attract what you want the following year.
Red underwear attracts love. Photo: Shutterstock.
Suitcases and backpacks
Taking a walk down our street carrying our suitcases is another of the most common rituals, as it is believed that by doing this, you will travel a lot the following year.
Take out your suitcases to travel more. Photo: Shutterstock.
Getting under the table
Surely you have seen many memes these days about people who have sat under the table and already got married. This is related to the belief that getting under the table will help you attract a partner.
The ritual works like this: in the first minutes of the New Year, you get under the table and think positively about what you expect in love.
Get under the table to find a partner. Photo: Shutterstock.
Throwing water out the window
To ward off “bad vibes”, it is recommended to throw water out the window, either a bucket or a small container; although this is one of the most frequent rituals, try to use water in moderation to avoid waste.
Pour water to ward off bad vibes. Photo: Shutterstock.
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Lighting candles of different colors
Whether colored, with embedded seeds, in the shape of a sheep or an apple, the twelve candle ritual is another of the New Year’s custom; they represent the twelve months of the year. Catholic tradition says you should bless them during the New Year’s mass, and on the first day of each month you should light a candle.
Colored candles for all year long. Photo: Shutterstock
Putting a ring inside a glass
Another widely used ritual to receive the New Year, especially for those who want to walk down the aisle, is to place a ring in the glass to toast at midnight on December 31st.
Ring inside a wine glass. Photo: Shutterstock.
These are some of the rituals to receive the New Year. Choose yours!
Climate change is becoming more intense, and its effects more visible. Therefore, it is vital to make small changes in our routines to leave a better world for our children. These tips for a green Christmas will help you have a greener Christmas to pollute less.
Teresa de Jesús Mijangos Arrazola, a specialist from Unidad de Medio Ambiente, Arqueología y Biodiversidad de Enel Power (Enel Green Power’s Environment, Archeology, and Biodiversity Unit), commented that, although many of the activities we carry out during the Christmas season seem to be far from sustainability, there is much we can do to live a greener Christmas.
“We must track a more sustainable route for our planet, which involves providing green grains of sand to create and seek a fairer world for our sons and daughters. Involving them in the creation of a white Christmas can be a strategy that, in addition to keeping the Christmas spirit on, can contribute to the mitigation of climate change”.
The specialist explained that some of the traditions of this season, for example, the lights of the Christmas tree, or even the Christmas tree, affect the environment. She estimated that electricity consumption increases around 30 percent during these days due to the lights we decorate our homes with.
From a young age, we must explain to our children the importance of caring for the environment and promoting sustainable actions from home, like applying these tips for a green Christmas:
LED lights
Let´s decorate our homes with Christmas lights that have LED bulbs since they use 75 percent less energy than conventional lights. Plus, they last longer. Similarly, turning off the Christmas lights at night will help you save electricity.
Led lights Photo: Shutterstock
Avoid gift wrappings
Although having the tree surrounded by gifts, with their Christmas wrappings and bows, is a practice in many homes, and it causes a lot of emotion for the little ones, it is not friendly to the environment, so the environmental specialist, Teresa de Jesús Mijangos Arrazola recommends avoiding wrapping paper and using materials that can be reused.
Wrap gifts using reusable materials. Photo: Shutterstock
No food waste
Christmas dinners are an opportunity for all family members to get together. It is believed that we must cook too much food for everyone to be satisfied; however, most of the time, there is too much food left over, and it ends up in the trash. Preparing the proper portions will avoid this waste.
Fair portions to avoid waste. Photo: Shutterstock
Long-lasting tree
Christmas trees, whether natural or artificial, are a source of pollution. If you decide to use a natural pine, you can take it to a collection center to turn it into compost when the holiday season is over.
Decorated Christmas tree Photo: Shutterstock
If you decide on an artificial one, try to use it for many years. According to data from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, they are made of plastic, so they take up to 500 years to degrade, according to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
“We consider that having a more sustainable Christmas and New Year is possible. Sustainability is no longer a temporary issue; it is a requirement to guarantee the green future that our sons and daughters deserve”.
I don’t know if you, but we’re already in the mood for the Day of the Dead. In addition to the offering, the bread, the sugar skulls and everything that this beautiful Mexican tradition entails, a great way to celebrate this day is with movies so that our children understand what this date involves.
Not everything is Coco! You will love these options.
Movies that portray the tradition of the Day of the Dead
1. The Book of Life(Jorge Gutiérrez, 2014)
Review: On the Day of the Dead, some unruly children go to a museum. There, their guide shows them the Book of Life, which keeps all the stories of the world, including one about Manolo and Joaquín, inseparable childhood friends, who compete for the love of María. Xibalba, the Underworld, bets with La Catrina on who will win Maria’s love.
The Book of Life (Jorge Gutiérrez, 2014)
What to expect: This is one of the films that best portrays the Day of the Dead tradition. It was written and directed by Jorge Gutiérrez, produced by Guillermo del Toro and features the voices of Diego Luna, Zoe Saldaña, Channing Tatum, Kate del Castillo, among others.
Through very vivid colors, beautiful songs and the love triangle of the protagonists, The Book of Life shows our traditions. From the majestic Catrina, who is the queen of the dead and Xibalba, the king of the forgotten, to the dresses, the flowers and our offerings.
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2. Day of the Dead(Carlos Gutiérrez Medrano, 2019)
Review: Salma, a 16-year-old girl, lives in a town where the spirits return once a year during the Day of the Dead. She is the only one in town who cannot bring anyone because she does not know her whereabouts or identity.
One day she discovers, along with her friends, a clue that leads them down a path to the underworld full of adventures, skulls, ghosts and a mysterious man.
Day of the Dead (Carlos Gutiérrez Medrano, 2019)
What to expect: After a decade of working on this film, its release had to be postponed in 2017 so as not to compete with Coco.
Finally, in 2019 it came out. The message of this film is that we must miss and honor those who are no longer with us, but also realize how valuable it is to love those we have by our side and sometimes we forget.
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3. To the Bone(René Castillo, 2002)
Review: This short film alludes to death in a funny way. A dying man descends into the world of the dead where he is greeted with a bohemian party by a worm, smiling skulls and Catrina herself sings sensually to him.
After some fun and flirtation, the man discovers that being dead isn’t such a bad thing after all.
To the Bone (René Castillo, 2002)
What to expect: It was produced by Mexican animator René Castillo Rivera for Ringling College of Art and Design in the United States as a thesis project. It contains very characteristic elements of our culture.
La Catrina is portrayed as an elegant, seductive skull with a beautiful voice. In music, the participation of Eugenia León and Café Tacvba stand out.
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4. The Legend of the Nahuala(Ricardo Arnaiz, 2007)
Review: Leo, an introverted and fearful boy, gathers up the courage to enter Nahuala’s house and rescue his brother, Nando, who disappeared on the Day of the Dead.
In his adventure they run into skulls, alebrijes and even a peculiar Spanish ghost.
The Legend of the Nahuala (Ricardo Arnaiz, 2007)
What to expect: The Legend of the Nahuala is the first in a series of successful films about Mexican legends.
In 2007 the sequel, The Legend of La Llorona, was released; in 2014, The Legend of the Mummies of Guanajuato; in 2016, The Legend of the Chupacabra; in 2018, The Legend of the Black Charro and this year The Legends, the Origin will be released.
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5. Coco(Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich, 2017)
Synopsis: Miguel is a boy who dreams of being a musician, but his grandmother forbids him because his great-great-grandfather, a musician, abandoned them, and they want him to continue with the family business: being a shoemaker.
By accident, he enters the Land of the Dead. He is not able to leave unless a dead relative grants him his blessing, but his great-great-grandmother conditions his return to the world of the living if he promises that he will not be a musician.
Miguel refuses and goes in search of his great-great-grandfather.
Coco (Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich, 2017)
What to expect: This Disney Pixar blockbuster won the 2018 Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film and took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song.
Since its premiere, it has been a phenomenon and has made our Day of the Dead tradition known throughout the world.
Bwahahaha. The terrifying days of Halloween and Day of the Dead are just around the corner. Your kids are ready to demand their spooky costume and makeup. The problem is that commercial fantasy face paints dry out the skin, so we came up with a homemade recipe to make your own paint face for children, suitable for their sensitive little faces.
Face paint for Halloween and Day of the Dead
Recipe to make the base:
Use a thick face cream, baby chafing cream, or lassar’s paste.
Mix with one or two teaspoons of talcum powder or corn flour (cornstarch).
Add natural food coloring, the colors you will need.
Stir well. If it’s too thick, you can add a little water.
If you don’t want to use artificial coloring, you can use natural ingredients to color it or just leave it white.
Orange: Use saffron (turmeric powder)
Pink or red: Beet (dilute with a little more cream to achieve the desired shade)
Green: Avocado or spinach juice.
Black: Activated Carbon
Purple: Cranberry or Blackberry Juice
Brown: Instant coffee
Let your paint sit for 5-10 minutes before applying it. Remember that its use is immediate, do not save it for another day because it does not contain preservatives and it rots. If you want a shiny look, apply a little baby oil, otherwise leave it matte.
How to make fake blood
Mix honey with red and blue food coloring.
Add a splash of milk to give it a whitish hue.
How to paint the face as if it were “dirty”.
Burn a cork and let it cool. Then use it to “blacken” the face.
Basic care before applying face paint
While natural ingredients are safe for most children, it’s always best to make sure they don’t cause allergies. Obviously, if you know that your little one has a reaction to a certain ingredient, do not use it, or try it a day before by putting a little paint on his hand and check that the skin does not become irritated.
The day you apply the paint, clean the face of your girl or boy. Apply a moisturizer first and do not let the child wear makeup for more than 6 hours.
When you remove it, use a make-up remover, let it sit for a few minutes to make it easier to remove. Do not scrub because it can irritate your little one’s skin. If he still has traces of paint, use a damp cloth.
The last step is to have fun. Bwahahaha!
Here are some YouTube tutorials that can help you:
Respect for other species makes us better people and it is important that from a very young age, children learn and recognize that all sorts of life is valuable.
Gandhi said that the greatness of a civilization can be judged by the way it treats animals.
These are 10 movies that will help you teach your children the love for animals.
10 movies that teach love and respect for animals
Ideal for children and adults.
1. Beethoven (Brian Levant, 1992)
Review: A St. Bernard puppy escapes from a gang of thieves that break into a pet store. After spending the night in a garbage can, he is rescued by the Newtons. Little Beethoven is adopted by the family and in a short time he becomes 80 kilo dog that often causes problems.
Teaching: A classic in the family comedy genre that shows us the docile, playful, affectionate and sociable nature of dogs.
This movie made all the kids in the 90s know and love the Saint Bernard breed.
Beethoven (Brian Levant, 1992 Photo: Universal Studios
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2. Mía and the White Lion (Gilles de Maistre, 2019)
Review: Ten-year-old Mia develops a special bond with a beautiful white lion named Charlie. When Mia discovers a secret that puts Charlie in danger, she begins a journey across the plains of Africa to find him a shelter.
Teaching: This is a captivating and value-filled film. The director had the idea of doing it after doing a research he did for a documentary about the bond between children and wild animals.
It is based on a true story and a personal anecdote. The little boy who inspired the film risked his life when he discovered that his family raised lions to sell to hunters.
In the film, it is shown the affection of the little protagonist for her lion, and by saving him, she tries to compensate the damage to the rest of the felines.
Mia and the White Lion (Gilles de Maistre, 2019) Photo: Photo: Galatee films
3. Brothers of the Wind (Otmar Penker and Gerardo Olivares, 2017)
Review: In an unspecified place in the Alps, in the 60s, Keller (Tobias Moretti) and his son Lukas (Manuel Camacho) live in the mountains, alone, after the death of Maria, Lukas’s mother and Keller’s wife. She died when the family house set on fire.
Teaching: Critics called this film a poetic look at the environment and it marked the end of a trilogy about nature and childhood that is completed with other films such as El Faro de las Orcas (2016) and Entrelobos (2010).
It’s a fictional fable that fuses a documentary with a fantasy film. The story is easy, perhaps a little simple, but it teaches us how beautiful the planet and all animal species are. And it’s worth it for the cinematography.
Brothers of the Wind (Otmar Penker and Gerardo Olivares, 2017) Photo: Terra Mater Factual Studios
4. Bambi (Clyde Geronimi, David Hand, Samuel Armstrong, 1943)
Review: A young deer named Bambi discovers the values of life on his way to adulthood. He is accompanied by his new friends, Thumper, the playful rabbit, Flower, the shy and adorable little skunk and wise Friend Owl.
Teaching: Bambi is a children’s classic that teaches morals such as family, friendship and solidarity, but it also gives the opportunity to talk to your little ones about respecting the lives of animals.
Who has not cried with Bambi?
Bambi (Clyde Geronimi, David Hand, Samuel Armstrong, 1943) Photo: Disney
5. The Jungle Book (Wolfgang Reitherman, 1967)
Review: After being rescued by panther Bagheera in the jungle, a pack of wolves raises the newborn Mowgli. Mowgli’s happy and peaceful life in his adoptive family is shattered when the dangerous tiger Shere Khan arrives.
Teaching: The Jungle Book is a fantasy story, but it teaches us that the human being is one of the many other species that inhabit the Earth and that we are not the owners of the world.
Little Mowgli makes it is possible to instill in our little ones respect and appreciation for nature.
The film conveys the fun and enjoyment of everything in the jungle. If you surround yourself with nature and take advantage of all its resources with respect and harmony, you will be much happier.
Just look for the most vital!
Do not miss the opportunity to mention that the Spanish dubbing of Baloo is carried out by the great genius of Mexican comedy: Tin Tan.
The Jungle Book (Wolfgang Reitherman, 1967) Photo: Disney
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6. Spirit (Kelly Asbury, Lorna Cook, 2002)
Review: In the Wild West, Spirit is a wild mustang that gallops through the prairies. But everything changes when men cross his path.
Teaching: Spirit shows us the happy life of animals in freedom until they have the bad luck to meet evil people who want to take advantage of them.
It is a strong criticism of humans, but also a message that we can live in peace and respect with nature. Spirit logically refuses to be tamed, but later he forges a great friendship with a young man from the Lakota tribe named Little Creek.
He doesn’t own him, the boy and the horse become real friends.
Review: Parker Wilson, a university professor who teaches music, adopts a Japanese Akita dog abandoned at a train station. Parker discovers the intimate bonds that can unite a person and an animal.
Teaching: It is another film based on a true event. The real Hachi was born and died in Tokyo, Japan. In the place where he faithfully waited for his owner until his death, a statue stands as a reminder of the love and healthy coexistence between humans and animals.
This film teaches us that loyalty and friendship can be infinite, and that not only people are capable of feeling, but also animals.
Hachiko (Lasse Hallström, 2009) Photo: Stage 6 Films
Review: Cathy has a father with very curious occurrences. For her birthday, he gives her a duck egg with the intention that she incubates it and later be her mother. But, coincidentally, the one the duckling sees first is Margaux, a friend of Cathy’s who is in a wheelchair.
The little duck has identified Margaux as its mother, but her parents don’t want her to take care of it. To protect and save the bird, the two girls run away and embark on an adventure of freedom, in which they will discover much about themselves.
Teaching: Les Oiseaux de Passage has great messages for children and adults. The relationship between Cathy, Margaux and the little duckling is touching, but it also exposes the risks of overprotection and the need for emancipation that we all experience at some point.
Yes, it talks about love for animals, but also about self-love and the dream of freedom.
Les Oiseaux de Passage (Olivier Ringer, 2015) Photo: Les Films d’Antoine
9. Celestial Camel (Yuriy Feting, 2015)
Review: In the Russian steppes, Bayir, a twelve-year-old boy, embarks on a journey on an old motorcycle to find Mara, the camel, who has escaped and is the basis of the family’s livelihood.
Teaching: A cute movie that moves us, but it is not corny. When Bayir finds out that the camel was sold by the patriarch, he doesn’t think it twice and sets off in search of him on an old motorcycle.
A story of love, friendship and justice. The little camel is sold when he still needed his mother. The suffering of the animals is noted when they force the calf to separate from his parent.
The approach is simple, the boy loves both camels and will do whatever he can to get them back together.
Heavenly Camel (Yuriy Feting, 2015) Photo: Production Center “Vse horosho”
10. Kauwboy (Boudewijn Koole, 2012)
Review: Ten-year-old Jojo is often left alone. His parents divorced, so they don’t pay much attention to him, so the boy secretly finds some comfort with a crow that fell from his nest.
Teaching: In the company of his crow (a black bird similar to a magpie), the little boy finds happiness. JoJo lives with his father, who works all day and is not self-confident. His mother is absent and has left a great void in the child.
Jojo seems to only have his bird and becomes infatuated with it, even against his father’s wishes.
This is a film that shows the emotional bond that can be established with animals. Surprisingly it is reciprocal, even if we are talking about a small bird.
Kauwboy (Boudewijn Koole, 2012) Photo: Waterland Film & TV
Why should we teach the value of tolerance to children? Tolerance is one of the greatest expressions of respect. Being tolerant means understanding, accepting and respecting the differences, ideas, beliefs and thoughts of others. In addition to instilling this value by your practice of it, it is a good idea to use playful resources such as movies, so here we have 10 family films that address the subject.
Movies that teach tolerance to children
They will help you teach your children in an attractive and fun way. Feel free to start the conversation after the movie, answer your kids’ questions, explain what tolerance means, and give them examples of how it could be applied correctly.
1. Wonder (Stephen Chbosky, 2017)
Review: Auggie Pullman is 10 years old and dreams of becoming an astronaut one day. He was born with a severe facial malformation and had to undergo ten years of operations and long recovery periods at home. Now Auggie must face another great challenge: attending class for the first time.
Teaching: This tape is ideal for reflecting on tolerance and the need to adapt. The story is very humane and inspiring. In an effort to protect him, his parents homeschool Auggie, but the time has come for him to go to school. It will not be easy, but the child will find great friends. Ask your children what they would do if they were the protagonist, or the classmates, or even the parents.
Review: The life of Billy, the son of a miner from the North of England, changes the day he discovers how fascinating ballet is and how gifted he is at excelling at it. He thus decides to change his boxing classes for dance lessons.
Teaching: The story takes place in the middle of the miners’ strike carried out between 1984 and 1985 in Tony, Everington, a small town in England. Billy’s family is formed by his grandmother, his father and his brother, who believe that ballet is not “for men”. The film talks about tolerance and acceptance, but it also gives opportunities to talk about other topics such as friendship, prejudice, the importance of fighting for what you want, being yourself above all, even when there is an absent mom.
Photo: BBC Films
3. I am Sam (Jessie Nelson, 2002)
Review: A mentally disabled father must fight to regain custody of his beloved daughter.
Teaching: Love, family, friendship, overcoming trouble, struggle, drive, and courage of a father to be close to his daughter is what this film presents. Sam Dawson must fight in court to be with his little girl. Due to his condition, he is discriminated, ridiculed, the people in suits believe that he is not qualified to take care of her.
At first Sam’s own lawyer shows rejection and disinterest, until she manages to see beyond his appearance and discovers the immense love he feels for the girl, as well as his determination to defend his rights.
I am Sam talks about tolerance and the importance of breaking down prejudices. But above all, he reminds us that with love, nothing else matters, everything will be fine.
Photo: NewLineCinema
4. Planet 51 (Jorge Blanco, 2009)
Review: Astronaut Charles ‘Chuck’ Baker arrives on a planet where the inhabitants are small green beings with pointy ears who live peacefully, and who are trapped in the fifties. Their only fear is being invaded by aliens. Captain Chuck, along with his companions will have to make a place for themselves among these beings, until they are part of the Space Museum of Alien Invaders.
Teaching: This is a Spanish digital animation film that puts a common situation in another context. What if humans were the strangers, the aliens who arrived on another planet and had to “earn a place”? It is obviously a great analogy to explain migration and tolerance to different cultures and ideas.
In addition to the value of tolerance, it also deals with the courage to face difficult challenges, empathy, putting oneself in the shoes of others to know their way of feeling and thinking, the critical attitude towards prejudice and the rejection of those who are different, the warning attitude in situations that represent fear, as well as the use of creativity to find solutions.
Review: Pocahontas is the daughter of Powhatan, the chief of a North American tribe. She one day sees the arrival of a group of English settlers, led by the ambitious Governor Radcliff and the brave Captain John Smith. Accompanied by her animal pals, Pocahontas starts a friendship with Captain John Smith. However, the ambition of the newcomers causes tensions to arise between the two cultures.
Teaching: Pocahontas has a free and adventurous spirit, but as the daughter of the chief of her village, she has the responsibility to protect them. In her first encounters with John Smith we can see how she becomes defensive against his and the rest of the Englishmen colonizing racism, “Who are they to call us uncivilized, savage and ignorant?” she questions.
Despite the situation, she defends respect and tolerance, she tries to mediate between both cultures. She falls in love with the “enemy”, which means betrayal to her own people. However, until the last moment, she cries out to her own father for listening to others, in a gesture of humbleness and kindness.
Obviously there is a lot to cut through, the love between two people from different cultures, respect for nature, but it is also an excellent opportunity to explain the encounter of two worlds, the European colonizers who arrived in what is now known as America.
Review: Sitting on a bench in Savannah, Georgia, Forrest Gump waits for the bus. While it arrives, the young man tells his story to the people who are sitting down waiting with him. Although he suffers from a little mental retardation, this does not prevent him from doing wonderful things. Without fully understanding what is happening around him, Forrest takes sides in the most important events in the history of the United States.
Teaching: Due to his limitations, many people treat Forrest differently and look down on him. During his childhood he suffers from bullying and must flee from his bullies multiple times. However, his mother helps him so that he does not feel inferior at any time, she does not victimize him or minimize his chores, on the contrary, she encourages him at all times.
You can talk with your children about the importance of not discriminating against anyone for any reason.
Forrest is also an example of self-improvement and perseverance. He teaches that there are no insurmountable obstacles. He is able to overcome any setback by being constant and making an effort. Another value that this film teaches is humbleness, the ability to accept achievements but see our own flaws and learn from them.
Photo: Paramount Pictures
7. To Kill a Mockingbird (Robert Mulligan, 1963)
Review: The sons of a southern lawyer face racial prejudice when his father defends an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman. Film based on the book of the same title by Harper Lee, it explores the racial conflicts in the American South during the time of segregation.
Teaching: This is a classic of cinematography that deals with the challenge of living in peace with people who are different. The film is based on Harper Lee’s 1961 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Not only is it a good story that grips you from the start, it also makes you wonder, what would you do? Would you stand up for what is fair even if you had to face criticism and even hate?
There is a blunt sentence that lawyer Atticus Finch says to his children, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway, and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do”.
Photo: Universal Pictures
8. My Name is Khan (Karan Johar, 2010)
Review: Rizwan Khan is a Muslim boy who suffers from Asperger syndrome. As an adult, Rizwan falls in love with Mandira, a Hindu single mother who lives in San Francisco. But after the 9/11 attacks, Rizwan is arrested as a suspected terrorist.
Teaching: Difficult, but true. The September 11 attacks in New York triggered a xenophobic wave in the United States. First neighbors, then customers, then friends turned their backs on many people of Muslim descent. Khan travels across the country to convey to President Obama his message: “My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist”.
Through this film, we can talk to our children about the need to see beyond mere appearance and not judge, it also shows the influence of the context and the need for social inclusion.
Photo: Red Chillies Entertainment
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9. The Blind Side (John Lee Hancock, 2009)
Review: Michael Oher, a young black homeless man, is taken in by a white family, willing to give him all of their support so that he can succeed both as a football player and in his private life. For his part, Oher will also influence the life of the Touhy family with his presence.
Teaching: This film is based on real events included in the book “The Blind Side”, by Michael Lewis. The film presents us the confusion of a young man who does not have a family, he is very confused, and denies everything. But in the midst of adversity, he finds Tuohy, a kind woman who decides to take care and love him.
The film is not a fairy tale, it shows how difficult it is to welcome a person into a family. All customs and habits change, the challenge is that with love, tolerance and acceptance, everyone adapts and integrates the new member of the family.
Another lesson that he leaves us is that we must help children to know what their qualities are and invite them to develop them.
Photo: Alcon Entertainment
10. The African Doctor (Julien Rambaldi, 2016)
Review: A doctor and his family seek to flee from the dictatorship in Congo; the mayor of a small French town offers them a new life, but in a completely different culture.
Teaching: The film “The African Doctor” is based on Dr. Seloyo Zantoko’s real life events, an orphan doctor who comes from Kinshasa, the capital of the former Republic of Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In this feature film you can appreciate the racism that existed in the decade of the seventies in rural Europe. However, it is very clear that the origin of discrimination is the fear of the unknown and the belief in the “dominance” of the white race.
Yes, it is important that our children know how the world used to be and how unfortunately it continues to be in many places. In the midst of mistrust and fear, the doctor overcomes economic difficulties and even shame about his own origin, “An African doctor is a disgrace to French medicine”, they tell him.
A theater play presented by the children of the town (the segregating chi) represents the rejection suffered by the African family and becomes the way for adults to become aware of the situation.
Reasons to go skating Urban oasis to visit with your children Museums and spaces in Mexico City to enjoy the summer Start your children in the practice of some sport The perfect gift to welcome the baby A look at inclusion through short films
Movies are an excellent educational resource for children, but it is also a great tool for transmitting values and explaining life situations. Beyond being pure entertainment, with your accompaniment, children may reflect upon diversity. These are 10 movies that will help you teach cultural diversity.
What is cultural diversity?
UNESCO defines cultural diversity as the multiplicity of ways in which societies manifest themselves. In simple terms for children, cultural diversity is about the different artistic expressions, languages, kinds of dressing, or traditions that allow us to identify individuals or social groups.
Cultural diversity is also the ancestral heritage that distinguishes us from other peoples, gives us identity, spiritual, symbolic, aesthetic and technological values. It also includes the goods that our ancestors have contributed to the history of humanity.
There are many films that in some way touch our cultural diversity and make us see the richness we have just because we are different.
1. Coco (Adrián Molina, Lee Unkrich, 2017)
Review: Miguel is a boy who dreams of being a musician; his family disagrees because his great-great-grandfather, a musician, abandoned them, and they want to force Miguel to be a shoemaker, like all the members of the family.
By accident, the boy enters the Land of the Dead. The problem is that he cannot leave this Land unless a deceased relative grants him a blessing. His great-great-grandmother refuses to let him return to the living if he does not promise that he will not be a musician.
Because of that, he runs away from her and looks for his great-great-grandfather.
Teaching: Coco extensively shows one of the most beautiful traditions in Mexico: The Day of the Dead. Through Miguel’s adventures, we discover a lot about our folklore and our music.
2. The Prince of Egypt (Simon Wells, Steve Hickner and Brenda Chapman, 1998)
Review: In order to save her young son from being killed by the pharaoh, a desperate mother throws her newborn son down a river. The Israeli child is found by the kings of Egypt, who give the child the name of Moses and raise him as the brother of the heir to the throne.
Years later, the Hebrew origin of Moses is discovered and the brothers walk away.
Teaching: This film shows us what the culture was like in the Pharaonic Egypt. It helps children understand what cultural diversity was like in the world, its customs, its organization, its daily life and even situations that should be unthinkable today, such as slavery.
The Prince of Egypt Photo: Netfix
3. Tarzan ( Kevin Lima, Chris Buck, 1999)
Review: Kala, a gorilla, finds an orphaned boy in the jungle and adopts him as her own son despite the opposition of Kerchak, the head of the pack. The young Tarzan grows up in the jungle developing animal instincts and learning to slide through the trees at great speed.
The young man lives like an animal until an expedition enters the jungle and he meets Jane, who makes him discover who he really is and the world he belongs to.
Teaching: This adaptation of the novel Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs encourages coexistence and multicultural respect. Differences do not matter, yet they can unite us. It is also an excellent opportunity to show what the English culture was like at the end of the 19th century: manners, long dresses and way of thinking.
Tarzan Photo: Disney
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4. Hairspray (Adam Shankman, 2007)
Review: Tracy Turnblad is a teenager obsessed with the Corny Collins Show, a dance show. Every day after school, she and her best friend, Penny, run home to watch the show. After one of the show stars leaves, Collins holds auditions to see who will be the next teen on the show.
Although her mother does not want her to go, Tracy auditions and is chosen, angering the evil prom queen Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma. Tracy thinks it’s not fair that black kids can only dance on the show once a month, and with the help of Seaweed, Link, Penny, Motormouth Maybelle, her dad, and Edna seek to turn things around.
Teaching: This is a movie with a powerful anti-racist message, but it also helps us understand the value of self-esteem. It is a musical set in the 60s of the last century. In addition to the multicultural groups that exist in the United States, you can also address music and dresses with your children, which are very different from the ones we wear nowadays.
Hairspray Photo: New Line Cinema
5. Ice Age (2002, Chris Wedge y Carlos Saldanha)
Review: 20,000 years ago, Earth is a prehistoric place full of dangers, among them there was the beginning of the Ice Age. To avoid being frozen, the majestic creatures begin to migrate south.
So, a group of very different animals, including a grumpy mammoth and a sloth, must help a lost boy return to his clan.
Teaching: Animals of different species live a dangerous adventure together: to return a human baby to its parents. Between laughter and fun they teach us that it does not matter that they are not of the same species, they can live together in peace, and even be friends. It is also a great opportunity to talk with your little ones about the evolution of man and the ice ages.
Ice Age Photo: Disney
6. Lilo & Stitch (Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois, 2002)
Review: A lonely girl adopts a dog that turns out to be a mischievous alien hiding from intergalactic hunters.
Teaching: Who says a human girl can’t be friends with an alien? In addition to interracial acceptance, this film also explores Hawaiian culture and traditions. It is an endearing film that captures the visual beauty and spirit of the islands of Hawaii, and it also shows us the meaning of ohana:
“Ohana means family. Family means that no one is left behind, nor is anyone forgotten”.
Lilo & Stitch Foto: Disney
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7. Moana (Ron Clements, John Musker, 2016)
Review: Moana, a teenager from the South Pacific islands, crosses the ocean and explores the world to prove that she is as brave as the rest of her family. On her journey, she meets Maui, who in the past was a powerful demigod.
Teaching: Moana Waialiki is the first Disney princess from Polynesia. Moana has exceptional references to all kinds of myths and legends of the Polynesian culture, a system of almost a thousand islands in Oceania.
The Polynesian culture is one of the most recent recorded, so there are still many mysteries behind it and this film shows a bit of its mythology.
Moana Photo: Disney
8. Song of the Sea (Tomm Moore, 2014)
Review: Ben, Saoirse and her father live in a lighthouse on the top of a small island. To protect them from the dangers of the sea, her father sends them to live with her grandmother in the city.
There, Ben discovers that his little sister is a selkie, a sea fairy. With the help of her magical powers, Saoirse frees some captive fairies in the country.
Teaching: This film can be defined as a fabulous bedtime story, a tale that invites you to believe in magic. It shows the majesty of Celtic legends, a great opportunity to discover the magic of this culture and teach your children that there are a thousand ways to tell stories.
Song of the Sea Photo: Cartoon Saloon, Melusine Productions
9. Kubo and the Quest for the Samurai (Travis Knight, 2016)
Review: Kubo captivates the inhabitants of his town with his magical gift of telling stories through origami.
When he accidentally summons an evil spirit seeking revenge, Kubo is forced to go on an expedition to unravel the mystery of his fallen samurai father and his mystical collection of weapons, as well as discover his own magical powers.
Teaching: It is a beautiful and fun way to learn about Japanese culture. The story shows epic adventures set in Japan in the Edo period. In a small and quiet fishing village, magic is present in the hands of little Kubo and his wonderful origami stories that are brought to life with the sound of his shamisen, a string instrument.
If there is something special about this film, it is its faithfulness in capturing Japanese culture, from architecture to clothing. Without a doubt, a great excuse to teach your little ones about Japan.
Kubo and the Quest for the Samurai Photo: Laika, Focus Features
10. Hidden Figures (Theodore Melfi, 2017)
Review: The hitherto unknown story of three African-American women scientists who worked for NASA in the early 1960s, collaborating in the space operation that made the US win the game over the USSR in the Cold War. At the same time, these brilliant women fought for the civil rights of African Americans.
Teaching: It not only shows intercultural relationships, but also self-improvement and feminine power. An opportunity to talk to your children about discrimination. Imagine a world where skin color determines the school you go to, the chair you sit in, even your dreams.
Well, that world existed in the 19th century and throughout the first half of the 20th century, in that context being a scientist black woman seemed like an impossible formula.
Hidden Figures Photo: 20th Century Studios; Chernin Entertainment
“Don’t pretend that you can handle everything, learn to live in balance”, says Kalinda Kano, author of the book, Perfectamente imperfecta (Perfectly Imperfect), from Editorial Planeta, a text that invites us to reflect on the value of what really matters.
And it seems that, at present times, it seems that the value of people is measured by: how busy you are, how many followers you have, if you are healthy or fit, if you are a good mother, wife, friend, or daughter.
Do you realize how exhausting that is? The writer tells us that you only need to listen to your inner self to understand what you already know: “being Superwoman is more toxic than anything”.
BABY CREYSI (BC): Why do we fall into the trap of wanting to be Superwoman and be efficient all the time?
Kalinda Kano (KC): It has to do with the role of women throughout history, social and family pressure and our jobs. Many of us have a sufficiency problem. We feel that we are not doing enough, so we really push our limits for someone to come and congratulate us. We want to be the leaders all our lives.
BC: We even feel guilty of our leisure time, we believe that we are not doing “anything productive”.
KC: That’s right and it’s tough because women have added too many different things to their regular activities. Just a few generations ago, most of women dedicated themselves to the family, and they did it very well.
Those who are moms know that it is a mega responsibility. Now add to it having a career, a job, but also being fit, being spiritual, having a great haircut, keeping up with the series…
The list of things we have is endless. Our leisure time or free moments generate a lot of guilt because actually, we have not finished what we perceive as pending. We feel like we’re wasting time just lounging around, instead of listening to a podcast, putting on a beauty face mask and learning how to meditate at the same time.
BC: In Perfecamente imperfecta (Perfectly Imperfect), you share with us about the tools you used to transform your lifestyle: how to deal with stress and grow. Can we live through so much social pressure?
KC: I did a lot of research and what I found out is that everyone eventually blows up. Nobody does, in the same way. There are some people who suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, depression, but there are also people who manifest it with some illness, others who vent it with drugs or get themselves off at weekends in parties.
The human being needs that relief: boxing, in therapy, crying. We live adding things to do and that’s like you’re inhaling all the time, at some point you have exhale and it’s the same with stress.
BC: The worst thing is that, those of us who are mothers, drag our children into that maelstrom. We want to get them into our rhythm and they are not prepared.
KC: We are harming them a lot because we transmit our neurosis to them in a certain way. All of a sudden, there are children in second grade who have a tremendous level of stress, who feel that life depends on their grammar test.
Being a woman is not defined by being a mother
In her book, Kali also tells us about her experience as a mother and how she has adapted to the changes that motherhood brings. From being a TV host who traveled the world interviewing bands, she became responsible for someone else’s life, and looks for more stable projects. For me, motherhood hasn’t happened without some bumps.
Being a mom is a full-time job, a vocation, a super life project.
And like any project of this magnitude, devoting so much time and energy to it steals a bit of your identity and often leaves you drained and missing yourself. But like all the moms in the world, I learned to let go of a little control and take it one day at a time.
To discover who you really are, the author recommends being patient. “After such a big transformation as becoming a mother, it takes a while for things to fall into place.
Breathe and find pleasure in the little things: drink your morning coffee in silence, the trip to the supermarket listening to your music. Then go exploring your desires: a class a week of something that interests you, an outing with friends. When you give yourself space, little by little you begin to recover. I am positive.”
BC: In your book you make it clear that working tirelessly does not make you better, more efficient, what can we do to get rid of that idea?
KC: The belief that the female mind is multitasking is a lie. We do have the ability to be in everything at the same time, but that creates stress and the truth is that you are not really efficient in anything.
I mean, you were preparing the lunchbox at the same time that you were answering emails, while you were making your eyes up; later, it turns out that your son tells you that the sandwich you prepared for him did not have cheese or ham, that it was plain bread, and you wrote an incomplete email, and your eye line is crooked. It is very important to learn to be in the present.
Do fewer things, but do them well. The truth is that when you do less things, but make sure they are done well and breathe during the process, you will have a much better time.
BC: What do you recommend to women to slow down the little voice we have in our heads?
KC: My head is still full, but it is a matter of nature. There are those of us who are much more accelerated and we must accept that we will be like this all our lives. What I do recommend is that you pay attention to what you dedicate energy to.
Be clear that you are not going to be always at the top, nobody is going to give you a diploma if you do 890 things in the day. That means to set limits and even be “mean”. I use quotation marks because it’s not really being mean, but protecting yourself.
People who take advantage of you don’t like it when you set limits. I recommend that you carefully choose what you put your time and energy into. When you slow down and take a good look at your life, you realize that there are many things, which were not necessary and wear you down.
There are other things that you do have to do, like driving the children to school, but others that you don’t, our days have a lot of diversion.
For example, quarrelling in the family or moms chat, telling your favorite influencer that you didn’t like her haircut, going out with your classmates from elementary school that you never liked. Observe everything you do, separate and decide what is worth it.
All of us are imperfect and that’s ok
BC: Finally, what steps should we take to be perfectly imperfect?
KC: The first step is to give us a chance and accept ourselves. That leads us to really know ourselves, to know who we are. That is, not what our mother, cousin or our partner thinks we are, but truly knowing ourselves.
By getting to know yourself, you can identify the parts of yourself that you don’t like so much and embrace them. If you accept yourself, the rest falls into place because you realize that we all have things to improve.
It is a personal process. We live in times where we are seeing the perfect life of others, social networks do not show us the ‘dark side’, but when you recognize your own ‘dark side’, you realize that nobody is perfect and you can relax.
Perfectly Imperfect
Author: Kalinda Kano
Publisher: Planeta
Synopsis: After pretending she could handle everything, Kali collapsed, but she knew how to turn her own story around. In Perfectamente imperfecta (Perfectly Imperfect), she tells you about the tools she used to transform her lifestyle into a healthier one and help you find your own balance:
“I grew up in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. At the age of 19, I moved to Mexico City, where I studied photography and worked as a television host for more than 15 years. It was a wonderful life, but also physically and emotionally demanding. Some time ago I decided to make a change: I changed the spotlights for the beach and my exhausting work days for quality family time”, Kalinda Kano.
“Intuition is a powerful thing, more than intellect”, said American millionaire businessman Steve Jobs.
What is intuition good for? It is essential to keep us safe; it allows us to make decisions taking into account what we feel, our emotions, what moves us. It is not magic or quackery, it is a kind of radar inside us that warns us of dangers and opportunities.
Albert Einstein himself said that, “The only really valuable thing is intuition”. However, although we all have this little antenna, not all of us know how to interpret what it tells us. That is why there are techniques that help us connect with our inner voice, “the third eye”.
Intuition and chakras: the correspondence
According to Sandra Roch, better known as Panterita, the chakras and intuition are closely related, in fact, the chakras are related to every aspect of life. “The chakras are seven energy centers that bring balance to our lives.
They are distributed in our body and each of them is related to different aspects of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. The chakras must be balanced so that they vibrate at a high energy frequency, allowing us to have a healthy and full life.
“The sixth chakra is known as Ajna or the third eye chakra. It is located on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and it is related to our mental abilities, psychological skills, and the way we assess beliefs and attitudes. The third eye is the chakra of intuition and wisdom. It represents that sixth sense that we sometimes refer to”, explains the holistic health coach.
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Techniques to open the third eye and signs of advancement
Panterita explains that the more open the third eye is, the more power of intuition will be enjoyed. There are several techniques that we can practice to balance and open the third eye, such as:
Follow your intuition.
Meditate or emphatically visualize this chakra; imagine a key that opens it.
Recite mantras.
Deepen spiritual knowledge.
Practice yoga.
Say positive affirmations related to the opening of the third eye.
Improve your diet.
Eliminate tobacco and alcohol consumption.
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How to open the intuition or the third eye
“The ability of people to understand things instantly, without the need of reasoning, is called intuition. It is that feeling that sometimes occurs when we are aware of something without any explanation. It could be, for example, that the phone rings and you know who is calling, also when you know which direction to take without looking at a map or having gone down that road before”, says Panterita.
It is not an immediate process
The expert clarifies that it is not an immediate process, it will depend on the personal and spiritual development of each case, and it must always go hand in hand with the harmonization of the rest of the chakras.
There are various signs that the third eye is opening. For example, having very vivid dreams that we can easily remember; the fact of being able to know something before it happens; see and hear things that other people cannot; feel the emotions of other people and above all, have a sharp intuition.
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Test to determine your power of intuition
To find out how open your “third eye” is, Panterita developed a test. Through a few simple questions, we can identify how receptive our antennas are. Jot down your answers:
How much do you anticipate events before they happen?
It always happens to me, with things related to me or with people who are close to me.
Sometimes it happens to me, but it is not recurrent.
Never or almost never.
It’s time to sleep, do you have lucid dreams? (A lucid dream is when we are aware that we are dreaming and experience the events very vividly).
Yes, and then some aspects of my dreams come true in real life.
Few times, but I do know what they are and it has happened to me.
I have never or hardly ever had a lucid dream.
Do you feel that the materialistic aspect of life is not enough and you seek more spiritual knowledge?
Yes, I feel the need to know more about spiritual issues to be in harmony. The daily routine no longer satisfies me.
I do seek spiritual knowledge, but I still feel that my economy and earthly aspects are essential.
I feel good with my routine as it is, but if I get stressed I am willing to meditate or do yoga for a few minutes.
Have you ever felt a pressure or a sensation of a light bulb between the eyes, at the level of the eyebrows?
Yes, clearly I have had that feeling on several occasions, especially during meditation.
Sometimes, but it is not very common, nor very intense.
I have never felt it.
Have you become more sensitive to light and do you see colors more vividly?
Yes, I have to lower the intensity of light on all my electronic devices because I can’t stand it.
Sometimes I feel a greater sensitivity, but it does not affect me too much.
I see everything normal, sometimes I have to increase the intensity of the light of my devices because I don’t see.
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Results:
OPTION 1
“Majority of 1, it means that your third eye is in the process of opening and you have a great intuition. Trust yourself. Remember to keep balance with the rest of your chakras to continue on the path of your spiritual development. Congratulations! Do not abandon your purpose of light”, says the expert.
OPTION 2
“If the majority were option 2, you’re on the right track, keep it up. Clearly you intend to strengthen your inner power, and with the right guidance your third eye will begin to open, so I recommend the Cleansing and Balancing your 7 Chakras course, to achieve the remaining inner balance”.
OPTION 3
“Most of your answers were option 3… you have a great opportunity to balance your third eye chakra, but it takes a lot of spiritual work. It is never too late to be interested in issues of inner growth and strengthening, and this will not only bring you spiritual benefits, but also material abundance and harmony. Start today”, recommends Panterita.
On YouTube there is very interesting content designed for our girls and boys. They go from fun songs to children’s stories or playful resources to reinforce what has been learned at school. You don’t have to ban them from watching videos! Rather, check if they are suitable for them and much better if they are also educational.
Here is a selection of 10 YouTube channels with free educational resources that your little ones will surely love.
1. Toy Cantando
A fun channel with catchy songs and very colorful videos. If you have a young child at home, he will be fascinated by Lola the Cow and other classics such as Josefina the Little Hen, The Colored Bird or Susanita has a Mouse. It also includes children’s stories such as The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty.
2. Luna Creciente
It also shares songs that your little ones will love, such as: I have a dairy cow, Old McDonald has a farm or Let’s play in the forest, but there is also a very educational list with The Monkey Sílabo to learn the main syllables in Spanish.
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3. Doctor Beet
If your little one is a little older, in this channel you will find many educational resources. Countries and capital cities of Latin America, states and capitals of Mexico, Roman numerals from one to a thousand, multiplication tables, addition, the alphabet, the history of the Independence of Mexico, among many others.
4. Super Simple Songs
If you are looking for your baby to become familiar with a second language, this channel has many songs. It is especially educational for toddlers because they teach little words in English for objects, parts of the body, animals; little by little, your child will gradually learn that there is another way of calling things.
5. El mundo de Luna
Luna is a super smart and super curious girl who wonders, just like your children, how everything works. Through her fun adventures, the children discover, as well as the protagonist, all the answers to her questions: Why do stars shine? Why does everything fall straight to the ground? Where are the Martians?
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6. Cuentos infantiles cortos
In this channel you will find video stories that will help your children learn important human values. The Smug Rat, The Tortoise and the Hare, Peter and the Wolf, Goldilocks, The 7 Little Goats and The Ugly Duckling among many others are the stories found here. There are also some short stories in English, for those who want to inculcate a second language.
7. Telmo y Luna
These two brothers teach children fun songs, cooking recipes, CRAFTS and surprising experiments. These videos belong to the television series Pumpkin Reports and are available in several languages, including Latin American Spanish.
8. The Artful Parent
Arts and crafts for children of all ages. It’s in English, but you won’t need a translation because it’s super simple and visual. This channel is from Jean Van´t Hul, a writer and mother, who also founded the blog https://artfulparent.com/ On both platforms, she provides guides and tutorials for children and adults to explore their artistic side.
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9. Green Light
Another channel based on the Pumpkin Reports cartoon series, but now focused on children’s road safety. It teaches road safety when getting off a bus, what traffic officers do, what a seat belt is for, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Bhc2zouTA
10. Mundo Primaria
An educational channel that will help you reinforce the lessons your children learn at school. Subtraction, addition, shapes, prime factorization of numbers… The concepts are very simple and the videos are fun and attractive. We are grateful!
When two people come together and collaborate with each other to overcome a problem, it is called solidarity. It is a unique value that is based on love, respect and empathy towards others.
How to explain and instill in your children the value of solidarity?
In Mexico we have many real examples of how we have come together to overcome natural disasters; this side by side work arises spontaneously within societies to rise from wars and diseases, but also in smaller circles.
Solidarity can come from anyone and can also be applied to anyone: family, friends, neighbors, even strangers. It comes from the desire to help, and when the goal is achieved, your heart is happy, that is the best reward.
Perhaps your children are very young, and it is difficult for them to understand the meaning of solidarity, that is why the cinema can be a playful tool that helps you in that purpose.
10 movies for children that teach the value of solidarity
1. Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton, 2003)
Review: Nemo, a small fish, much loved and protected by his father, gets lost outside the Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. After being captured, Nemo ends up in a fish tank in Sydney. His father, a clown fish, sets out to find him and embarks on a dangerous adventure with Dory, a fish with a very short memory span. At the same time, Nemo and his new friends are already hatching a plan to escape from the fish tank.
Teaching: This film teaches many values and solidarity is one of them. Solidarity shows in all the different animals that help Marlin get his son back, but also in the fish that accompany little Nemo in the fish tank and fight together so that he can escape and reunite with his dad.
Photo: Walt Disney / Pixar
2. Chain of Favors (Mimi Leder, 2000)
Review: Trevor, an 11-year-old boy, decides to carry out an experiment for his social studies class with the intention of improving the world under a simple premise: he will do a series of favors for three people and, in return, they will return the favor by doing something for three others, and so on. His idea becomes a national phenomenon, which also has profound consequences on his family.
Teaching: The entire film deals with the value of solidarity. A change of life of the characters is proposed through small daily gestures of kindness. Trevor’s simple idea is magnified. If you help three people with something they really need, and those three people return the favor by helping three different people, the chain of solidarity becomes immense. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all applied that premise?
Photo: Warner Bros.
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3. French Roast (Fabrice Joubert, 2008)
Review: In a Parisian cafe, a stiff businessman asks for more coffee to hide the fact that he has lost his wallet.
Teaching: This is a short film, only 8 minutes long, but with a very powerful message. A man in a suit is indifferent to what is happening around him, he even refuses to help a homeless man, but he will learn his lesson when he realizes that he forgot his wallet and out of pride, instead of explaining the situation, he complicates it even more. He would never imagine who is going to help him.
Photo: Pumpkin Factory
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4. Minuscule: The Valley of the Lost Ants (Hélène Giraud, Thomas Szabo, 2014)
Review: A young ladybug befriends a black ant and helps her save her people from a war with red ants.
Teaching: This story does not need dialogues, the sound of nature and the bugs is enough for children to understand the story. It shows in a very didactic way how the ants are organized and how they can achieve many things through the union. The ladybug joins the black ants for a common goal, to get a lump of sugar.
Photo: Amazon Prime Video
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5. Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (Michel Ocelot, 2007)
Review: Grandfather, on his throne in the blue grotto, tells us how Kirikou becomes a gardener, detective, potter, merchant, traveler, and a doctor to fight against the sea. The little hero will have to search within himself to find the courage and cunning to succeed.
Teaching: Kirikou’s main virtues are kindness and courage. In this story, children learn what cooperation and solidarity are, but also respect, conservation of the environment, inclusion and interculturality.
Photo: Les Armateurs
6. City of Joy (Roland Joffé, 1992)
Review: In Calcutta, two very different people find understanding in each other: a doctor suffering from a depressive crisis, and a Hindu looking for a job to support his wife and his three young children.
Teaching: It is based on the best seller by Dominique Lapierre. Fate makes a young American doctor, who finds no consolation after the death of a patient, know the poorest areas of Calcutta. Helping others was how he rediscovered himself.
Photo: IMBD
7. Said’s Journey (Coke Riobóo, 2007)
Review: It tells the story of a boy who lives in a coastal town in Morocco and, one day, decides to embark on a journey to that place where everyone believes is the land of opportunities.
Teaching: Although in the beginning it seems that the trip is a great opportunity, the truth is that the new destination is full of tragedies and difficulties. This story makes us reflect on the need to be supportive. Small gestures make us live in a fairer world.
Photo: Jazzy Producciones and Tembleque Producciones
8. The Largest Flower in the World (Juan Pablo Etcheverry, 2008)
Review: A little boy leaves home ready to embark on fantastic adventures, crossing the fields, forests and deserts, until he finds a withered flower that requires his help not to die but grow. The child be rewarded.
Teaching: Based on the book by José Saramago, this film is full of symbols in a world full of individualism, hopelessness and violence. Through it, children learn the meaning of courage, altruism and solidarity. Saramago himself narrates this beautiful fairy tale.
Photo: Continental Producciones.
9. The Mantis Parable (Josh Staub, 2015)
Review: It is the story of a humble caterpillar, trapped in a collector’s jar, who needs a helping hand.
Teaching: The caterpillar enclosed in a glass jar tries to get out by all means without success. The Mantis decides not to help her, but her luck doesn’t help her and she ends up locked inside the jar herself. Inside, she finally understands the situation the caterpillar is in and realizes her mistake. This film shows us the lack of sensitivity and empathy towards others. Despair and hope. Courage and solidarity.
Photo: Filmaffinity
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10. Patch Adams (Tom Shadyac, 1998)
Review: The late 1960s. Hunter Adams volunteers at a mental health hospital. Despite the harsh stories that take place in the center, he has managed to earn the nickname “Patch” (patch) for helping his classmates never lose heart. Shortly after, “Patch” decides to become a doctor and enters the University of Virginia. There, he questions the methods of treating patients with serious illnesses and revolutionizes the world of medicine.
Teaching: The film is based on the true story of a doctor who stood out in the medical community for his original therapies with cancer patients. Through laughter therapy, he got many patients to recover their spirits during their illness. Patch Adams is a white-coated hero who is worth your kids meet.
“You´ve got a friend in me, You´ve got a friend in me, When the road looks rough ahead, And you´re miles and miles from your nice warm bed, You just remember what your old pal said, Boy, you´ve got a friend in me, Yeah, you´ve got a friend in me”, lyrics from You’ve got a Friend in Me, in the Disney movie Toy Story.
Having friends is the best thing in the world. We rely on them to get rid of sadness, increase joy, and reduce anguish, talk, share feelings, likes, hobbies, beliefs and projects. Undoubtfully, a great value that we must teach our children.
Movies that teach us the value of friendship
One way our children can learn the meaning of friendship is through movies. “Cinema is culture, art, entertainment, but also a reflective tool that can guide behavior. There are children’s films that deal with big issues and that allow us to transmit values”, says film critic Ligia Oliver.
According to the expert, these are 10 movies that teach our children the value of friendship. This weekend, plan to watch some of them.
1. Like Stars on Earth (Taare Zameen Par), by Aamir Khan, Amole Gupte
Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi (Darsheel Safary) is an eight-year-old boy who has dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. A group of kids pick on him, his mom gets frustrated trying to educate him, and his dad hopes all of his kids be successful. A new art teacher helps him discover that he has an extraordinary ability to paint.
Teaching: The world of children is full of wonders that it seems that adults do not appreciate them. Beyond grades and homework, there is friendship. This film was India’s official selection for the 2007 Academy Awards.
The Spanish version is available on Netflix. Photo: IMDB
2. Home Still: There’s No Place Like Home, by Tim Johnson
An alien race (The Boov) conquers Earth and the entire population is relocated except for Tip, a girl who manages to hide from the aliens. Tip finds a runaway Boov named Oh who isn’t like the others, he just wants to have friends.
Teaching: This is a film full of feelings and love. It reminds us that family is not only about blood ties, but that there are other people who unexpectedly cross paths in your life and you create strong bonds.
Home Still, a DreamWorks film, you can also find it on Netflix. Photo: IMBD
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3. E.T., by Steven Spielberg
An alien child is left behind on Earth when the ship he came in departs without him. He is completely alone and afraid, but he befriends a human boy who hides him in his house and, together with his little sister, looks for a way to return him to his planet.
Teaching: This film revolves around friendship and child kindness. E.T. is a very cute character who just wants to go back home. Elliot will do everything in his power to help him, before the police and unscrupulous scientists want to experiment on him.
E.T., the 1982 classic, you can watch it on Prime Video. Photo: IMDB
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4. Le renard et l’enfant, by Luc Jacquet
It tells the peculiar story of a girl who meets a fox while she was riding her bicycle through the woods; they begin a friendly relationship.
Teaching: Who says that friendship can only be among humans? This film combines the realism of a documentary with the magic of a children’s story. With her furry friend, she lives unforgettable adventures and shows that friendship can also be forged with animals.
Le renard et l’enfant, a 2007 film, is available at filmin.es. Photo: Filmin
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5. The Wizard of Oz, by Victor Fleming
Dorothy, a little girl who dreams of traveling beyond the rainbow, gets her wish when a tornado takes her and her puppy to the world of Oz. There, she heads down the Yellow Road to the Emerald City, where the powerful Wizard of Oz might help her return to Kansas. During the journey, she befriends the Scarecrow who wants a brain, the Tin Man who wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who wants to be brave, so they decide to join the odyssey.
Teaching: This American movie classic celebrates kindness, charity, friendship, bravery, strength, love, and generosity. When Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) sings “Over the Rainbow” she sends a message to the world, Trouble melts like lemon drops”.
The Wizard of Oz, a 1939 film, you can enjoy it on Prime Video. Photo: IMDB
6. Luca, by Enrico Casarosa
Luca is a sea monster who lives under a town on the Italian coast. When he comes to the surface, he takes on a human appearance, and meets a new friend, just like him. Together they go on an adventure among humans who hate monsters.
Teaching: According to Enrico Casarosa, the film is “as if he had put together all his childhood summers in a single film”, when he climbed the lighthouse, jumped from the rocks and laughed out loud with his dear friend . This is a story that talks about growing up and fulfilling dreams.
Luca (2021) is available on Disney Plus. Photo: Disney
7. Toy Story, by John Lasseter
Woody, Andy’s favorite toy, feels threatened by the unexpected arrival of Buzz Lightyear, the Guardian of Space.
Teaching: The magic in this story makes this film a children’s classic. It all begins with Woody’s rivalry with Buzz but, wrapped up in their adventures, the two toys form powerful bonds of friendship. Toy Story also explores the great emotional bond that children generate with their toys.
Toy Story was the first fully computer-animated feature film and Pixar’s first major film project. It’s on Disney Plus. Photo: Disney
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8. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by Chris Columbus
On his birthday, Harry Potter discovers that he is the son of two well-known wizards, from whom he has inherited magical powers. He must attend a famous school of magic and sorcery, where he makes friends with two teens who will become his companions in adventure. During his first year at Hogwarts, he discovers that a malevolent and powerful wizard named Voldemort is searching for a philosopher’s stone that lengthens the life of its owner.
Teaching: The entire saga written by JK Rowling teaches us powerful values, from respect for animals, the value of friends and family, to the power of our actions and words. What would Harry do without his inseparable friends, Ron and Hermione? In good and bad times, the three remain united. He who has a friend has a treasure, Harry is told at the end of the tape.
The beginning of the Harry Potter saga began in 1997. It is available on Prime Video. Photo: IMDB
9. How to Train Your Dragon, by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
Hiccup, a teenage Viking, begins dragon training classes and finally sees an opportunity to prove that he is capable of becoming a warrior when he befriends an injured dragon.
Teaching: This saga shows us, above all, the value of true friendship, which is forged between Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless. It is a very complete film because in addition to the value of friendship it explains empathy, tolerance, identity, ideals, and conflict resolution.
The first movie of How to train your dragon (Toothless) was so successful that there is a saga with three films and Netflix recently released the series. Photo: Netflix
10. The Fox and the Hound, by Ted Berman, Richard Rich and Art Stevens
The young fox Tod and the hunting puppy Tody have become the best friends in the world, in a place where they only have each other to play and have fun. But the day comes when Toby leaves to train as a hunting dog, and when he finally returns from his long trip, things change radically for the two friends.
Teaching: A story that shows how society determines our behavior, but in the end, friendship manages to overcome any prejudice.
This 1981 animation film is another classic that shows that even those who are “natural enemies” can have a beautiful friendship. Photo: IMDB
