So, it may not seem much when your 9 year old talks about two movies he’s seen countless times. But when he makes a connection between the two and starts to compare them, it made my little nerd heart proud. He was eating a late lunch (or early dinner, however you want to see it) with his friend when they identified that the movie on the tv was Kung Fu Panda. Little Goob said his favorite part is when Po the panda sits on a chair powered by fireworks and ends up in the arena where the master is about to name the new Dragon Master. Po is a very unlikely choice as he is clumsy, overweight, uncoordinated and untrained in the martial arts. Little Goob recognized that in Kung Fu Panda it seems more likely that Mistress Tigress would have been named Dragon Master. He said it’s just like The Lego Movie where Emmett doesn’t really seem like he should be The Special and it should be Wild Style. His friend agreed that both main characters didn’t start off as the obvious heroes. Little Goob said they grew into being the heroes everyone said they weren’t.
So, what’s the big deal you say? My kid is not one that likes critical thinking outside of schoolwork. Heck, even in school he’s still hesitant or dislikes drawing connections between texts. I’m just elated that on his own he thought up the connection between these two movies. I wouldn’t have come to the conclusion he did unless directed in that way.
I just wanted to share this moment with you all, brag a little and then continue eating my celebratory Chipotle chicken bowl.
Have a great weekend and keep on (critical) thinking!
Stay Snarky, Sacramento! 