Animation is one of the most common mediums used in children’s movies. The top grossing children’s films of all time are animated, with the exception of the live-action “Lion King.” This is no coincidence. Animation is a great medium for children, especially because of its ability to help kids understand complex topics, the fact that it is more engaging than live action, and that it helps children’s brain development.
While the stories portrayed in animated movies are often simpler and geared to a younger demographic, people of all ages watch these movies and feel the same emotional reaction that children do. This is because of the unique way that animation can tell stories. The core of animation, like in all movies, is storytelling. But animation can take this storytelling to a new level, because it can create a more immersive experience. For example, animated films can employ various techniques such as color, lighting, mood, atmosphere, and music to elicit an emotional reaction from its viewers. Additionally, characters’ personalities can often be reflected with their facial expressions and body language to help us connect and understand them at a deeper and more explicit level.
This can be seen in the movie “Sleeping Beauty.” The animators used floral pink, blues, and browns to portray Aurora, while using purples, greens, and black to portray Maleficent. Their facial features are also very different; Aurora always has a soft smile on her face, while Maleficent’s face has a green hue, that is covered in dark makeup. This communicates a clear visual understanding of the villain and hero, making these movies easier to understand for young children.
Animated shows and movies can also present complicated themes to children in an easily digestible format. Disney’s “Tangled” explored staying true to one’s identity, and “Avatar the Last Airbender” showed redemption and grief. Animation is also an excellent way to introduce kids to the idea of mental health. “Inside Out,” for example, shows us that experiencing negative emotions is normal and healthy.
Finally, animation can help develop cognitive skills. According to research published in the Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, animation allows for new neurons to grow and link to parts of the brain that control memory formation, spatial orientation, and strategic planning. This means that animation can help the brain grow and enrich memory.