Age appropriate movie ratings

Jen748

DD is in the 3-year old class. What rating would you be comfortable with your child watching at daycare/preschool?

She came home from school yesterday saying they watched Elf, which is PG. I haven't seen it  (neither has DH) but some stuff I found online indicated it has a few curse words. They were also watching another movie when DH picked her up - so two movies in one day which I think is excessive. We aren't paying for movies to watch our kid!

Mrs.Greg

My DD1 has only ever watched one movie, Bolt. I just Googled it, it's rated PG. I've watched it with her, there are a few parts that are kinda over her head but nothing inappropriate like cursing. I was actually surprised to see it's rated PG when I Googled it just now. She didn't watch it at school though, she was at home.

74dragonfly

I don't want my child watching any Tv or movies at school.

ppants

Our DC policy was that movies should be G. I complained about the lack of enforcement of it after my 4 yr olds saw Adam Sandler's bedtime stories movie. The web site I use for family ratings is kidsinmind.com

sunnybrook.

I would only be comfortable with a daycare or preschool showing a movie with a G rating. If they showed a PG movie and two movies in one day, I would ask about their tv viewing policies. Some states limit the amount of tv that is permitted in licensed facilities. You may want to look into your state's requirements for licensure just for your own reference.

NicoleWI

G!! And even many "G" movies would scare DD!! She can't handle Disney villians yet. I really wouldn't be okay with them watching ANYTHING without prior approval and it being a special occasion.

animalcrckr

I use the Common Sense Media website all of the time!  It is great for movie ratings and gives a recommended age beyond the typical G/PG, etc.  They usually have a paragraph of "What parents need to know" that explains why it is recommended the a particular age.

 It also has a lot of good information beyond just movies.

And as an example, they have Elf rated 7 and up.  Here is what they say about it:

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although Elf earned a PG rating for relatively rare potty language and mild swearing ("pissed," "hell," "damn," etc.) and a few references to bodily functions, it's family friendly at its core. Even young kids will appreciate the humor inherent in this fish-out-of-water tale, although some might be upset that Buddy's mother died and that his father never knew about him. The few action sequences (galloping rangers chasing Santa in Central Park, a brief confrontation with a scary raccoon, and some scuffles in a department store) aren't really threatening, and no one is injured. The movie's overall message of the value derived from honesty, acceptance, and affection for all humanity is clear and positive. 

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ 

KathrynMD

I'd would be PIST if daycare watched a movie w/ my kid.  I'm not paying money for that.

FWIW - we've watched all G movies and maybe one or two PG movies w/ her - maybe Wall-E was a PG and Madagascar? 

CarolinaDaisy

G only! And really, I wouldn't be pleased at all if they watched a full-lengthy movie at preschool. My son is only there for 3 hours. Anything longer than mabye a 25 minute video would not be ok with me.

I don't think they really watch any tv at preschool here except for maybe on a special occasion. 2 movies in one day is ridiculous, I'd be checking to see how often they do it and what legal limits are for screen time at her daycare.

JoannaJes

G movies only, and no TV at preschool!

jnksmom

I am not paying the preschool to sit my child in front of a TV so I would not be happy that they watched 2 movies in one day. I also think that anything they watch at school should be rated G.

DD is in school 3 mornings a week for 3 hours. Her school offers extended hours until 2:30(they call it TLC). They have special holiday TLCs and those sometimes include a movie but it has always been rated G.

Aimathy

I would definitely be upset!!!  First, I am not okay with them watching TV at all in school.  I'm paying them to keep my child actively engaged, not veg out in front of a TV.   Second, I would definitely speak up about my preschooler watching Elf.  It is completely inappropriate for young kids.  There's cursing, the premise is way above their understanding and it's just not meant for children that young.  I would be discussing that with the director of the preschool, without a doubt.   IF they were to show a movie for a special occasion, I would only be okay with G rated.  No exceptions. 

LoriLee14

i'm not defending the preschool in question but could it have been the elf on the shelf movie?

When i worked at a preschool we did let them watch a movie during lunch every once in a while. but it was leap pad letter factory. we did charlotte's web as a reward. (it was what the class asked for and it was only for 30 mins at most a day till we watched it all) but that was it over a school years worth