A Bug's Life- Talking and Playing With Movies - verbal, social and emotional learning for children 3

family movies, family videos, family films

Intentional Parenting Family Movies

Talking and Playing for Growth with . . .

A Bug's Life


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Social-Emotional Learning  —  Friendship; Courage; Teamwork.

Moral-Ethical Emphasis  —  Trustworthiness; Respect; Responsibility; Caring.

At a Glance  —  Age: 5 - 8; MPAA Rating -- G; Animated Drama; 1998; 96 minutes; Color. For children ages 9 - 12, see Learning Guide to this movie.

Description  —  A colony of ants struggles to free itself from domination by a group of grasshoppers. At the same time, Flik, a non-conformist ant, tries to find his place in the colony. Flik's differences from the other ants allow him to find a way to help the ants defeat the grasshoppers.

Every Guide to Talking and Playing With Movies contains film-related discussion prompts, games, and a short story related to the themes of the film.

Each Guide helps parents and teachers use family movies to enhance verbal development, increase social-emotional learning, and foster character education.

Benefits of the Movie  —  "A Bug's Life" teaches respect for those who are different from the group, the importance of teamwork, and the necessity of owning up to your mistakes. Children can find inspiration in the character of Dot, the youngest and smallest ant, who does amazing things. The film can also be used as an occasion to learn about ants and insects.

Designed by the creators of TeachWithMovies.com, in conjunction with Dr. Betty Bardige, Ed.D., TWM's Guides to Talking and Playing with Movies make watching movies much more than just entertainment.

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For a more complete explanation of how to use movies to foster development through talk and play, see Ideas for Talking and Playing Using Family Movies. Babysitters can better serve their charges by talking with children about the movies children watch and organizing games based on situations in the films. See How Babysitters Can Enhance Verbal Development and Social-Emotional Learning.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against putting children age 2 or younger in front of a screen. For children 3 and above it recommends no more than 1 to 2 hours of educational, nonviolent programs each day. For these children family movies are a great way for intentional parents to use entertainment to enhance a child's verbal skills, social and emotional learning and character education.

"A Bug's Life" is an entertaining lesson in character and ethics. When parents point out one of these lessons, the movie becomes more than just entertainment.