There are many fun activities that parents can do with their children, for example playing in the park, jogging, cycling together, reading books or watching films at the cinema. However, not all activities are suitable for children when they are still babies or under three years of age.

Watching a movie may be fun with older children, but it is not suitable with children under 3 years old.

Risk of taking baby to the movies

The risk of taking a baby or a child under the age of 3 to the movies include:

Infection

Infants and children have immune systems that are still developing and not fully matured, making them more susceptible to infections. There are many people with different health conditions in a movie theater, so the risk of contracting a respiratory infection or other illness may increase.

Ambience and noise

The lighting and sound effects in a movie theater are constantly changing. For infants and young children who are sensitive to bright lights and noisy surroundings, both of these items can be extremely unsettling and frightening.

Loud noises above 70–80 decibels, such as those heard during action sequences or movie screenings, can cause serious harm to babies. Babies are more susceptible to stress and hearing loss. A two-hour movie that has a sound level of 90 decibels will eventually cause your baby's hearing to deteriorate if you regularly take them to see movies with that volume.

Impaired overall well-being

When you take your baby to the movies, they often end up in a confined space with little room to move around, which can be uncomfortable because they need to change positions frequently.

When can the kids join the movie?

Every child has different maturity and readiness, one of which is readiness to watch films in the cinema. Consider your child's age and what kind of movie they will be watching. Factors such as the duration of the film, whether it is short or long, or the category of film broadcast based on age must also be considered. Some children may be ready for cinema around 3-5 years old, while others may have to wait until 6–8 years old or even later.

A child's attention level and emotional readiness are important factors to consider before taking them to the cinema. At younger ages, children tend to have shorter attention spans and may have more difficulty sitting still for the duration of a movie. They may also be more easily distracted by loud noises and changing lights in a movie theater environment.

Tips for bringing children to the movie theater

• Choose films that are suitable for children to watch
• Check the film's rating and summary before taking your child to the cinema to ensure the content of the film is appropriate for your child's age
• Pay attention to whether the film has the possibility of showing scenes with sound levels within safe limits or very loud
• Bring ear protectors and a mask, especially if your child is sensitive to noise. Masks will protect children from the risk of exposure to infections that can be transmitted through the air
• Choose a show time that is not too late at night so that the child is not too tired
• Bring snacks and drinks to make them more comfortable and able to sit still during the show
• Make sure your child has gone to the toilet before entering the cinema so as not to disturb the comfort of other people
• Choose a strategic seat, such as in the middle and slightly to the back for comfort for your child's eyes
• If your child is restless or wants to leave before the movie is finished, prioritize your child's comfort
• During the film, take time to respond to your child's emotions and reactions to the film

If a child appears irritable, reports ringing or fullness in the ears, experiences distorted sounds, or shows difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, it's advisable to have them evaluated by a doctor, as loud noises can impact their hearing.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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