Movies, TV shows about inner beauty

It can still be hard to find TV shows and movies with a range of body types represented and an emphasis on skills, smarts and character instead of appearance, but it’s worth the effort.

Entertainment media have a huge impact on children’s social, emotional and physical development. So exposing them to media that reflect positive body image shows them it’s what’s inside that counts.

Here are some recommendations:

TV

Earth to Luna!, age 4+ Bubbly Luna is full of questions and runs her own experiments to satisfy her curiosity. Doc McStuffins, age 4+ Animated 6- year- old is kind and caring, but it’s her problemsolving that saves the day, and she’s well on her way to following in her physician mother’s footsteps. Annedroids, age 5+ Anne is an inventor and engineer who creates robots and is always tinkering. Unlike many other ’ tween TV characters, Anne eschews fashion and wears overalls, which make perfect sense for her type of play.

Xploration Outer Space, age 6+

This show promotes STEM ( science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning, and its female host challenges gender stereotypes typically associated with the subject of astronautics. Terry the Tomboy, age 8+ A show about a girl who salivates over grilled meat, favors flannel because it’s comfortable, and isn’t afraid to be seen with dried pie on her face? No body- image issues here.

MOVIES

Anne of Green Gables ( several versions, starting in 1934), age 7+

Anne’s story is a celebration of friendship, imagination, creativity, hope and finding family in unexpected places. Spirited Away, age 9+ An edgy animated portrayal of what a young girl needs to do to grow up and take responsibility for more than herself. 23 Blast, age 10+ An inspiring true tale about a blind football player.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, age 11+

A tale of four high school girls who stay in touch by way of a pair of jeans that magically fits all their different body sizes perfectly.

Common Sense Media is a nonprofi t organization offering ratings and advice for families making media and technology choices.