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Answering the Child's Why (1951)

A cautionary film for parents and teachers that dramatizes actual situations in which youngsters meet both positive and negative attitudes toward their questions. Suggests effects on their personalities of each type of attitude.


This movie is part of the collection: A/V Geeks

Production Company: Encyclopedia Britannica
Audio/Visual: sound, b&w
Keywords: mental hygiene

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: HillbillyProfane - - May 30, 2008
Subject: KInda disturbing.
Don't get me wrong, the film means well. I always find these educational ditties rather disturbing, over-starched, and spic 'n' span.

"Why does Mommy hug the stranger?" I couldn't help laughing just then. Call it the cynical mind of a kid who grew up in the 1980s.

Still, the film does have a lot of good things to say. Personally, I think if more parents took the kind of time with their kids that these parents do, kids (and especially teens) wouldn't be so freakin' obnoxious nowadays.

Reviewer: Bob Capps - - September 10, 2006
Subject: Why do kids ask Why?
A terrific film about why parents should always answer the annoying "why" that kids seem to endlessly ask. I'd recommend this film for parents, rather than kids. Also has great early fifties fashions, automobiles, etc.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - January 14, 2006
Subject: Shut UP already!
Extremely well done film about why kids are so inquisitive and how adults must help them answer them. Yes, that means answering every ÂWhy? the kid screams at you. Here we follow 3 kids, 2 of them have VERY patient Moms that take time out to explain the world to their children. (The boy in particular looks and sounds incredibly annoying). And then thereÂs Molly, whoÂs shut up at every turn. Every ÂWhy is treated with scorn! This makes the child very quiet.
Very fast moving and highly interesting, especially for an EB film. This was highly entertaining to watch!

Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - November 3, 2004
Subject: Because I Said So!
This is a charming little film about answering little kidsÃÂ questions. Parents are encouraged to answer every question their little darlings ask in a patient and accurate fashion, lest they grow up to be like awkward shy Molly, who never asks any questions. Not shown are the kids who say ÃÂWhy?ÃÂ over and over again just to annoy their parents, or the really embarrassing questions they sometimes come up with. Of course, this doesnÃÂt take place in the real world, but in the ideal world of educational films, where teachers have time to patiently go over tests individually with their students, uncles are never inappropriate with little girls, and only really, really old and sick people die. It goes without saying that parenting is a lot easier in that world. Why? I donÃÂt give a darn! HeÃÂs our shortstop!
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ****.

Reviewer: trafalgar - - October 15, 2004
Subject: Teach your children well
This starts out as a standard, silly instructional film for parents, on how to answer the constant questions posed by children. But then it takes a left turn, and tells the heart-breaking story of Molly, a girl whose discouraging parents led her into a life of isolation. Nice performances by the kids; well done all around. Produced by Encyclopedia Britannica.