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Child Rearing and Development (41)
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Alphée of the StarsHugo Latulippe 2012 1 h 22 minAlphée has a rare genetic disorder that hampers her development. Yet she continues to defy medical expectations. In a moving declaration of love for his daughter, filmmaker Hugo Latulippe and his family steal away for a year, focusing on his daughter's learning, so that she can integrate into a regular classroom when they get home. -
Alphée of the Stars (Short Version)Hugo Latulippe 2013 52 minAlphée has a rare genetic disorder that hampers her development. Yet she continues to defy medical expectations. When her parents intuitively reject the idea of placing her in a specialized classroom, they move their family to Europe for a year. Here, her father – filmmaker Hugo Latulippe – focuses on his fairy-like daughter's learning, in hopes of eventually integrating her into a regular classroom. This film is a moving declaration of love from a father to his daughter. It is also the story of a gamble: stealing away for a year in order to try and change the course of events. An intimate and revealing portrait, Alphée of the Stars puts the spotlight on a most unusual girl. With patience and tenderness, Latulippe – who believes in schools that embrace the diversity of humanity and do not discriminate – challenges our assumptions and reveals an unknown world that may have escaped us in our daily rush.
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BorderlineFergus McDonell 1957 28 minThis short film is a portrait of Nora Fenton, a 15-year-old girl who is sent to a home for problem teens because of her persistent defiance of parental authority and self-injurious behavior. Typifying the problems of emotional adjustment experienced by many adolescents, this story of conflict and rebellion shows how understanding, affection and firm parental guidance are the factors most needed in helping teens weather their most turbulent years.
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The BoxCo Hoedeman 1989 10 minOscar-winning animator Co Hoedeman and his newest creature come together in this enchanting and colourful fable about the joys and pains of growing up. No sooner has the paint dried, than the puppet begins to take its first few steps and, urged on by the artist, begins to discover a wider world. He experiences the joys of playtime and sharing and eventually begins to spread his social wings. The film charts the shaping of a personality, and the evolution of a sense of self-awareness until the creature is ready to leave its protective environment. Live-action, puppets and pixilation create this amazing world of fantasy. Film without words.
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Before They Are SixGudrun Parker 1943 17 minThis short documentary offers an early example of the challenges faced by working mothers. As women entered the workforce in greater numbers during WWII, their young children were cared for by others. At day nurseries, trained staff supervised children’s meals, health and play. Toddlers are taught how to wash and dress themselves and to put their toys away tidily. The film is an intriguing portrait of the nascent mid-20th century world of work for women and their families.
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BeautyChristina Willings 2018 23 minBeauty explores the lives of five gender-creative kids, each uniquely engaged in shaping their own sense of what it means to be fully human. Whether it’s dealing with bullies, explaining themselves to their parents, or navigating the uncharted waters of relationships, Bex, Lili, Fox, Tru and Milo talk about their experiences and struggle to live in authenticity.
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Child, Part 5: 4 Years - 6 YearsRobert Humble 1978 27 minBy the age of four the child is curious about the world around him. To find out, he is asking thousands of questions. He is also learning not to be afraid. This film shows children in learning situations: on a nature hike; handling animals and other creatures; dealing with their peers. One particularly interesting example is that of Ingrid and Helen, twins who look alike but act differently.
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Child, Part 4: Kathy and Ian: Three-Year-OldsRobert Humble 1977 28 minBy the age of three children become aware of themselves as unique. This happens through their continuing interaction with parents, siblings and friends. This film explores these relationships and the resulting development within the child.
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Child, Part 2: Jamie, Ethan and Keir: 2-14 MonthsRobert Humble 1973 28 minThe world at toddler's eye level. For months a baby lies in his crib looking at all those things just beyond his reach. Then he learns to move about, to crawl, to stand--and suddenly all those things are his to touch, to taste. This film observes a baby's natural curiosity, his way of 'getting into things' as part of the experience of learning and adapting. Differences in behaviour of the three babies are noted.
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Child, Part 1: Jamie, Ethan and Marlon: The First Two MonthsRobert Humble 1973 28 minHe has just made his debut into the world. How does he shape up? In this first film, a pediatrician explains what he looks for when he gives a newborn infant his first physical checkup--testing reflexes, muscle tone, eye movement, etc. Three babies are observed, first in hospital, then at home in the care of their parents.
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Child, Part 3: Debbie and Robert: 12-24 MonthsRobert Humble 1974 28 minTrial and error and challenge, and the beginnings of communication. Robert is a little older than Debbie; both are of the same family. Both like to experiment, to copy and explore, but sometimes their aims run counter to one another. Their behaviour in this film is typical of the second year of life and illustrates the process of learning that goes on through every waking hour, and the kind of guidance a parent can give.
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Danny and NickyDouglas Jackson 1969 55 minThis feature documentary offers a comparison of the care of two boys with Down syndrome. Danny lives at home with his brothers and sisters and attends a special neighborhood school for children with disabilities. Nicky lives in a large institution for persons with intellectual disabilities. This film clarifies common misconceptions about intellectual disabilities, and presents an intimate portrait of the families, staff, and communities that come together to assist Danny and Nicky in learning, playing, and living a fulfilling life.
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Dans la vie...Pierre Veilleux 1972 5 minHere the film animator gives vivid expression to his own memories of a child's first encounter with elementary school--at that tender age when grown-ups seem ten feet tall, a monster lurks in every corridor, and the very walls have eyes. Feeling, but not understanding, the regimentation imposed on him, the child seeks, in spite of it all, to be himself. A film without words; titles in French.
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Dark IntentMireille Dansereau 2000 51 minA poetic meditation by a man and a woman whose teenage son has threatened to end his lifee. What drives someone to that terrible extreme? In an effort to understand and demystify the phenomenon of suicide, the two parents search for answers within themselves. Their personal reflection is intercut with dramatic sequences, archival footage, animation, interviews and first-person accounts that look at suicide from an emotional, rational, cultural, social or medical perspective. Mireille Dansereau has made a sobering film that nevertheless expresses an abiding faith in life. In French with English subtitles.
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The Frustrating Fours and the Fascinating FivesJudith Crawley 1953 21 minA study of the behaviour of four-and-five-year-old children at home and at nursery school. At four the vacillation between infantile helplessness and vigorous self-assertion is seen, and at five the development of independence and the beginning of cooperation. Parents observe that, unpredictable as their behaviour may be, it's fun to help in the development of the fours and fives.
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From Ten to TwelveEdmund Reid 1956 25 minQuite far removed from infancy, yet not across the threshold of adolescence, children of ten to twelve present an absorbing study of adults-in-the-making. We watch the children of one family in various situations in the home, at school and in group play, and find that much of their conflicting behaviour is actually a normal part of the growing-up process.
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From Sociable Six to Noisy NineJudith Crawley 1954 21 minThe film looks into the meaning of various forms of conduct in children from six to nine years and suggests ways in which parents may guide them through a challenging, often trying phase of development. In a family with three children we observe how the parents cope with often baffling situations.
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Giiwe - This is HomeMerle Robillard & Andrew Lau 2020 27 minBetween 1965 and 1984, Canadian child protection workers removed more than 20,000 indigenous children from their homes on reserves and placed them in foster care or put them up for adoption without the consent of their families or bands. Almost all of these children were placed with white, middle class families, and were effectively stripped of their cultural identities. Many bounced from foster home to foster home, ran away, and developed addictions in order to cope. Some of these children were treated like slave labour and/or experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
The majority developed emotional problems later in life and had difficulty developing a strong sense of identity in either the Euro-Canadian or their indigenous cultures. Brent Mitchell, who was removed from his Ojibwe home near Sagkeeng First Nations, Manitoba when he was just a year old and moved to New Zealand with his foster parents when he was five where he endured emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
Brent Mitchell’s story clearly illustrates the complete lack of sensitivity, respect and consideration to aboriginal children to their culture and family. In the summer of 2017, we met Brent and his wife, Yolanda who traveled from New Zealand to Winnipeg, Manitoba. During the week we spent together, we witnessed the connection grow between Brent, his sister, Penny and brother, Ron as well as with their identity and culture. -
Happiness IsClorinda Warny 1972 7 minFor a young mother happiness can be an hour's stroll in the park with her sleeping infant--but happiness is short-lived when the baby begins to cry and the passers-by pause with freely proffered advice. Made of animated paper cut-outs, this film without words is a spoof about the self-styled child experts who are so caught up with their own views of what's best for a child that they fail to see the infant's real problem.
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Here and ThereDiane Obomsawin 2006 9 minIn this animated short, filmmaker Diane Obomsawin shows how childhood can be a chaotic time, especially if you're bouncing back and forth between two continents. With engaging candour and gentle humour, Obomsawin fleshes out an uncertain identity and takes control of her life. Using drawings on paper and digitized snippets of fabric, she creates a whimsical world of simple lines and pastel tones.
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He Acts His AgeJudith Crawley 1949 14 minHow a child's emotional development normally keeps pace with his physical growth; the behaviour he exhibits at certain ages. This introductory film ten from one to fifteen years of age and shows the characteristics of each group.
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I Am SkylarRachel Bower 2019 15 minI Am Skylar is the emotionally compelling story of an articulate 14-year-old girl who is thoughtfully defining her future and the woman she is to become. Surrounded by a family and a community who show her unconditional love as she follows her personal path, Skylar faces the complexities of being a transgender girl on the cusp of puberty with refreshing honesty and unshakeable dignity.
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Into LightSheona McDonald 2021 19 minWhen a child reveals who they truly are on the inside, how does a parent set aside their own expectations to help them become their most authentic self? Sheona McDonald’s documentary captures a season of change as a mother and child navigate the complexities of gender identity together.
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Live TVAnnie O'Donoghue 1996 21 minThis short live-action comedy satirizing TV's violent ways tells the story of 4 children who go searching for their school’s 2 missing turtles. In this task, the children are assisted by a television set that morphs to life as a goofy action superhero. As the search progresses, the children discover that TV solutions and real-life solutions don't always mix. When the kids take charge and use their own wits, the turtle mystery is solved in a jiffy.
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Ludovic - The Snow GiftCo Hoedeman 1998 14 minIn this animated short, Ludovic the bear learns the meaning of friendship while evoking our memories of cherished childhood toys. Often left out of the winter fun because his parents deem him too young, Ludovic finally finds a playmate when a giant snowstorm strands a doll on his front lawn. He spends all his time with his new doll, which miraculously comes to life and provides him with the companionship he’d been longing for.
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Ludovic - A Crocodile in My GardenCo Hoedeman 2000 9 minThis is the second film in the collection Seasons in the Life of Ludovic. Here the bear cub is playing. Magical thinking governs Ludovic's world as he reigns over his menagerie of paper animals and their jungle home. In his improvised Africa, Ludovic goes from one surprise to another until the animals help themselves to the surprise brought by his mother. When they refuse to obey him, Ludovic doesn't want to play anymore. He bangs the door and pouts. But children's fights don't last. Reconciliation is not far off, especially when there is a snack to be shared by everyone. (See also Ludovic - The Snow Gift.)
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Ludovic - Magic in the AirCo Hoedeman 2002 12 minIt's autumn in all its glory and Ludovic is playing in the park. A bigger teddy bear knocks him down, and the little cub is rescued by a little girl teddy bear. Her kind gesture teaches Ludovic that the magic of friendship can help him face the fiercest bully.
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A Monster's CallingLouise Johnson 2001 5 minA Monster's Calling is a humorous animated film about the nature of personal anxieties, and body image. An "under-the-bed" monster wanders through a slumbering household, wreaking typical monster havoc. First a little girl, then an older brother, and finally the teenaged big sister. It's surprising, to both the monster and to us, what frightens each of them. A film without words. Ce court métrage d'animation 2D raconte l'histoire d'un monstre qui rôde dans une maison, telle une ombre insaisissable venue troubler le sommeil d'un gamin et de ses deux sœurs. Avec une terrifiante habileté, il s'infiltre tour à tour dans leurs pensées pour réveiller leurs plus grandes peurs. Pour l'adolescente, la pire crainte serait de ne pas correspondre à l'idéal de beauté véhiculé par les médias.
D'où viennent ces monstres qui nourrissent leur sentiment d'insécurité? Pourquoi exercent-ils tant de pouvoir? Conçu pour de jeunes spectateurs, ce film d'animation plein d'humour favorisera les échanges sur l'origine des angoisses suscitées par l'image corporelle. Film sans paroles. -
Mi'kmaq Family (Migmaoei Otjiosog)Catherine Anne Martin 1995 32 minThis documentary takes you on a reflective journey into the extended family of Nova Scotia’s Mi'kmaq community. Revisiting her own roots, Mi'kmaq filmmaker and mother Catherine Anne Martin explores how the community is recovering its First Nations values, particularly through the teachings of elders and a collective approach to children-rearing. Mi'kmaq Family is an inspiring resource for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences who are looking for ways to strengthen and explore their own families and traditions.
We hear the Mi'kmaq language spoken and a lullaby is sung by a Mi'kmaq grandmother featured in the film. -
The MidwayKathleen Weldon 2014 1 minChildren wait their turn for a once-in-a-lifetime roller coaster ride. A loving and poignant meditation on childhood and the passage of time.
Produced as part of the 10th edition of the NFB’s Hothouse apprenticeship. -
Mother and Her ChildVincent Paquette 1947 1 h 0 minThis film follows a young couple from the time they suspect pregnancy to their child's first birthday. The value of good prenatal habits and medical care is emphasized. Good tips are also provided on day-to-day baby care.
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Not Enough Womb for the Two of UsCameron Kletke 2024 1 minCameron Kletke depicts an in utero skirmish between twins with spacious hand-drawn animation, employing watercolours and pastel to plunge us into an intimate watery universe where the umbilical cord becomes a prop in a comic battle of wills. Those little elbows can be sharp.
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Ninan Auassat: We, the ChildrenKim O'Bomsawin 2024 1 h 31 minKnown for her intimate and riveting films, director Kim O’Bomsawin now invites us to experience the vibrant universe of Ninan Auassat: We the Children. Shot over more than six years, the film brings us the moving stories of three groups of children from three different Indigenous nations: Atikamekw, Eeyou Cree and Innu.
In following these young people through the crucial milestones of childhood, right to the threshold of adulthood, we witness their daily lives and aspirations, along with the challenges they face.
Filmed from “a child’s eye-view” and presenting a groundbreaking vision of contemporary Indigenous youth, this documentary is notable for the complete absence of adult voices and “experts on young people”—holding space instead for a new generation with a burning desire to be heard.
The result is a captivating journey that becomes a call to action, at a time when the voices of young people echo, demanding the right to be recognized and an opportunity to blossom. -
OverdoseClaude Cloutier 1994 5 minIn this short animation, we meet a young boy leads such a regimented life that he has no more time just to be a kid. Between school, tennis lessons, swimming lessons, art classes, homework and piano practice, he can barely get any rest. Inspired by Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, this short animated film by Claude Cloutier pleads for children’s right to rest and leisure.
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Origins of Human Aggression: The Other StoryJean-Pierre Maher 2005 50 minIs human aggression a result of nature or nurture? Interviews with researchers from various fields--including a Nobel prize winner--shed light on the question.
Startling footage of children acting out their aggressive impulses adds to this compelling documentary that examines the complex factors that affect the socialization of aggressive behaviour among humans.
Biological, environmental and psychological components are addressed, and guidelines for the prevention of human violence are also provided. -
Putting It StraightWilliam Greaves 1957 14 minA film about "crooked" teeth, dealing with the causes of irregular teeth and stressing the importance of early, regular and systematic care of the primary teeth in preventing such conditions. The case of a young girl whose happiness was being undermined demonstrates that, treated in time, protruding teeth can be straightened. An animation sequence illustrates normal growth and development of the primary teeth and how irregularities can arise.
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Sweet ChildhoodZviane 2017 3 minIn this animated short, cartoonist Zviane comes across an old audiocassette while packing up before a move. Just the sight of the tape plunges her back into her childhood fantasies and her perceptions of the world. But the reality of what's on the tape results in a hilarious episode that questions just how "sweet" childhood really is. This film is part of the Comic Strip Chronicles, a collection of shorts celebrating the strong affinity between comic strips and animated film. Inspired by moments of everyday life, these films showcase the playful imaginations of renowned artists Guy Delisle, Zviane, Aude Picault, Lewis Trondheim, and Jean Matthieu Tanguy. Produced by the NFB, Canal+, and Sacrebleu.
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The Terrible Twos and the Trusting ThreesJudith Crawley 1951 21 minA study of child behaviour at two and three years, showing what to expect and how parents can deal constructively with the problems they present. The film shows a group of active children in playground, nursery school and home, first at age two, and then at three. Destructiveness, tantrums, rivalry with younger children, and unreasonable fears are discussed.
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ToysGrant Munro 1966 7 minThis stop-motion animation takes a dark look into the war toys often given to children at Christmas time. Starting off as harmless objects, the toys quickly take on the gestures of real soldiers, mimicking the actions and penalties of a real war. This critical commentary on war and glamorized violence creates a real and frightening battle.
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Why Won't Tommy Eat?Judith Crawley 1948 16 minThis film examines the problem of children who won't eat, and what can be done about it. Tommy should be hungry, but he just picks at his food. Going back to early babyhood, the film traces in detail, how eating habits are formed, how individual likes and dislikes must be taken into consideration, and that the worst habit of all is the permanent battle over food. After this analysis, Tommy still sits by his well-filled plate. In despair his mother takes him to the doctor, who explains that she is really the problem. She realizes that she has been tense, impatient with Tommy from the start. Now it will take painstaking care to build a new atmosphere of cooperation and friendliness, to learn understanding of Tommy's personal requirements at mealtimes, and all the time.
