Parents Can Use Netflix to Teach Kids About Empathy #StreamTeam

I am a Netflix Stream Team member and have been given a Netflix membership to help facilitate my posts. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. 

With schools around the country either already starting or about to start any day now, this can be a good opportunity to talk to our kids about kindness and acceptance. Bullying is a worldwide problem, and not just amongst kids. Without a doubt we don't want our own children to fall victim to bullies. But just as importantly, I don't want my child to be the bully either. Talking to a child about how all people are different and everyone should be accepted and treated fairly is something everyone should do; and having the aid of a movie to lets kids visualize that can be very helpful.



This August, a movie that I loved as a child popped up on our Netflix and it fit in perfectly with the kindness and acceptance theme: The Mighty Ducks. This is a great story of a group of kids from the "other side of the tracks" struggling to fit in both on and off the ice.

Tough trial lawyer Gordon Bombay (Estevez) never loses. But when he's slapped with a community service assignment, he must coach a ragtag team of pee wee hockey players who can't skate, can't score, and can't win! Reluctantly, Bombay takes on the assignment and soon realizes there are more important things than winning. Armed with this new attitude, feathers fly as Bombay and the Ducks battle along to the toughest game of their lives!

Watch on Netflix

Since all of my boys play hockey, this was an easy way to grab their attention. But just popping the movie on and letting them watch it isn't enough. Be sure to engage with your child. Talk to them and ask questions about what happened in the movie to really drive the point home.

Here are some other title to check out on Netflix:


For Older Kids
Mulan happens to be a favorite of mine and the kids love it too. I haven't shown them Rudy yet, but I think it might be good for my 9 year old.

1. Rudy
2. Mulan
3. A Mile in His Shoes
4. Radio
5. Good Luck Charlie: Down a Tree
6. Glee



For Younger Kids
There is a reason why I love PBS shows. They are excellent at both providing entertainment while teaching a lesson to viewers.

1. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Vol. 1 Ep. 6: Friends Help Each Other
2. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Season 3, Ep. 4: One Bad Apple
3. Arthur, Season 15, Ep. 8: Muffy's Classic Classy Club / Best Enemies
4. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
5. Super Why, Season 1, Ep. 61: The Ugly Duckling: Becoming a Swan
6. The Fox and the Hound


What movies or TV shows do you feel do a good job of teaching empathy?