What my kids learned from movie night
Summer learning loss is real, so I try to keep my kids sharp, physically and mentally. Alongside track and field, jiu-jitsu, workbook pages, online piano lessons, creative work, and reading time, this year I added something new to our summer lineup: watch ‘n’ write. We watch movies with meaning, followed by journaling.
Journaling helped them practice handwriting, but more importantly it gave them space to reflect on what they saw and how it made them feel.
Here are some of the films I chose for them:
“The Karate Kid” (1984)
Themes: Bullying, mental health, friendship, resilience
Daniel, a teen facing bullying at school, finds an unexpected mentor in Mr. Miyagi, who teaches him that true strength lies in discipline and self-respect.
We saw the 2010 version a few years ago, then saw “Cobra Kai” in our Netflix recommendations. Before taking on the series, I thought they’d want to view the one I saw as a child for better appreciation.
Reflection questions:
How does the main character Daniel demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity?
What actions does Daniel take to cope with emotional stress, and were they healthy or harmful?
What impact does bullying have on Daniel’s self-esteem, and how does that evolve?
How does a friendship or mentor relationship help Daniel through his struggles?
What would you have done in Daniel’s place?
“Forrest Gump” (1994)
Themes: Neurodivergence, emotional intelligence, unconditional love
Forrest Gump, a man of simple mind and good intentions, navigates pivotal moments in 20th-century history, experiencing love and loss, all while remaining remarkably resilient and optimistic.
This one has mature themes, so we watched it together. I’d rather they ask me questions than try to fill in the gaps online.
Reflection questions:
How does Forrest show resilience and kindness even when others mistreat or underestimate him?
Have you ever felt underestimated like Forrest? What did you do?
If you could give Forrest advice at one hard moment in his life, what would you say?
Who is someone in your life who shows resilience like Forrest?
What does the movie teach you about how to treat people who are “different”?
“Akeelah and the Bee” (2006)
Themes: Perseverance, community, self-doubt, and the power of education
Eleven-year-old Akeelah discovers her exceptional spelling ability and overcomes personal challenges to compete in the National Spelling Bee.
We related to her story of pushing through bullying, fear, and uncertainty.
Reflection questions:
How does Akeelah show resilience even when she feels scared or alone?
When have you felt like giving up but kept going?
What talents or strengths do you sometimes hide from others? Why?
If you were Akeelah’s friend, what would you say to encourage her?
The answers my kids shared were surprising, thought-provoking, and gave me a glimpse into their thought processes, what they valued, and how they felt at the moment. Each child zeroed in on something different (characters, emotions, relationships), and I got to see how each one processes the world.
This low-cost, low-effort experiment helped me connect with my kids in a way that mattered.
It’s also a mindful way of consuming otherwise passive media, knowing that they might have to discuss it later on. But don’t overdo it either, as I eventually got quizzed back each time I had the remote: “Will we have to write about this again, or can we just enjoy it?” Sorry na.
Summertime doesn’t have to be the frenetic shuttling of kids to enrichment activities. During this downtime, make space for helping them name their feelings, understand the world, and reflect on who they’re becoming. Using movies this way gave us more than just shared screen time; it gave us shared insight.
