An American Tail

family movies, family videos, family films

Intentional Parenting Family Movies

Talking and Playing for Growth with . . .


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Subjects: U.S./1865 - 1913; Diversity & New York; Religions/Judaism.

Social-Emotional Learning  —  Friendship.

Moral-Ethical Emphasis  —  Respect; Caring.

At a Glance  —  Age: 6 - 8; MPAA Rating -- G; Animated; 1986; 77 minutes; Color. For children ages 9 & 10, see Learning Guide to this movie.

Description  —  This animation classic takes place in 1885. Fievel Mousekewitz and his family are emigrating from Russia to the United States. Their trials and triumphs are similar to those experienced by the Mousse millions of European immigrants who came to the U.S. between 1880 and 1924.

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  —  "An American Tail" introduces the concept of immigration and some of the difficulties that migrants face in a new land. For children whose families trace their origins to Eastern Europe, the film can serve as an introduction to their heritage.

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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.

"An American Tail" can be a fabulous lesson in American history, as well as great entertainment.