For those times when screen time is helpful (long car rides, long flights, sick days, etc.), we can make the most of it by selecting content that supports children’s social-emotional strengths. The following list of shows/films can help children to become more aware of feelings (aka emotional literacy), and to learn from role models of self-acceptance, courage, empathy, cooperation, diversity and conflict resolution.

Parents and professionals, let’s maximize the benefits of exposure to social-emotional strengths by:

• Watching the shows/films along with the children.
• Asking children about the lessons/moral about specific moments of the stories with a non-judgmental approach; that is accepting any point of view they have. This gives us honest info about how they feel and perceive events, so we can support them.
• Sharing your own lessons/moral about specific moments of the stories, as one more point of view, not the “right point of view.” This adds to their perceptions without imposing.
• Taking opportunities in every-day challenges to apply the lessons/morals learned.