A movie adaption of the best-selling novel “Wonder” by R.J Palacio, August Pullman(Auggie) the main character is afflicted by a facial birth defect that makes most people flinch on sight. His mother home-schools him initially but enrols him in a school so he can experience life in the real world. The movie revolves around his experiences at school and home, the challenges he faces and how the love and support of his parents and teachers help him overcome.
An inspirational movie that makes us wonder about the strength of the human spirit and the prejudices that exist in each and every one of us. With a lesson to be learnt from almost every character, the movie is a learning experience that surpasses even the best classroom teachings. With real-world situations that today’s kids and parents face, the movie is an eye-opener to those that may have difficulty understanding what their children are going through. Parenting is not an easy task, but neither is being a kid with the pressures being heaped upon them.
Here are a few parenting tips from the movie, avoid favouritism between siblings, make your child feel loved and support them in their endeavours even if they don’t match your expectations. It also shows how important it is to teach kids values such as kindness, respect for others, friendship, loyalty.
“It’s not enough to be friendly. You have to be a friend.“- RJ Palacio. Wonder.
For kids finding the right set of friends is vital to navigating their school years. From studies to the playground and serious issues such as bullying, good friends are the support system for kids when their parents are not around. In the movie, good friends help August the main character, find the strength to overcome constant bullying from other school kids. Tolerance, kindness and loyalty are some of the main qualities in the friends that August makes.
“Kinder than is necessary. Because it’s not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.” R.J Palacio – Wonder
A must watch for parents and kids alike, I leave you with a line from the movie that has a lesson for each and every one of us.
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” – R.J. Palacio, Wonder.