4 (Awesome) Lessons to Learn from The Lego Movie
While the rest of the world united to collectively ask, “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” and began finishing each other’s… sandwiches, our family was busy falling in love with a little Lego guy named Emmet and his unlikely crew of misfits saving the world from certain perfection.
If that last sentence sounds odd to you, listen up! There’s lots of amazing truths to be gleaned from The Lego Movie. It may seem this movie is about building blocks, but it’s actually a lot more about building character.
The 4 Lego Movie Lessons
1. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be great.
For Kids: Emmet’s whole world is built (ahem) around the idea that following the directions is of utmost importance. Much like in our culture, Emmet’s “instructions” taught him how to do just about everything — wake up in the morning, do his job, greet his neighbors, who to listen to on the radio. Emmet was so good at following the rules that it zapped the creativity right out of him, making him less and less of a unique individual. You don’t have to follow the crowd to have a great life. Being yourself is something that is truly invaluable.
For Parents: Many times I get caught up in the “right” way to do things: the most efficient way to load the dishwasher, the best way to organize the closet, how to make my house look more like the ones on Pinterest. I think other parents probably do, too. But really? Not a lot of that matters. Looking around, I notice that everything really IS awesome, like that catchy song in The Lego Movie says. Oh, shoot. Now it’s stuck in my head. Again.
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2. Kindness shines through
For Kids: Emmet may not have been the smartest Lego guy in town. But what he lacked in creativity (at first), he made up for in compassion. Look at his interactions with Wyldstyle, Unikitty, and even Lord Business. Expertise (for example, in building awesome creations) can come later, but it is far more valuable to care about the well being of the people in your life. And in doing so, they often encourage you to be your best, too.
For Parents: It’s not a competition. There are no prizes for being the Mom who has her act together the most. (Okay, no real prizes. Mommy Merit Badges, yes.) But there is great reward for being there for other people. That’s something you could read on a cat poster. But it’s also true.
3. Teamwork is important.
For Kids: Emmet’s true strengths shone through the fact that his inside-the-box thinking was actually the unique and unexpected thing they needed to save the day. When he learned to embrace that, he drew the team of misfit Master Builders together to literally save the world.
For Parents: It really is true that we need a community of other families to support each other in life. Look for those ways to reach out to people in your life — your neighbors, your family members, other parents you see weekly at events — these are the people to connect with, because that makes us all stronger.
4. Confidence builds confidence.
For Kids: It may seem that, like Emmet, you are not smart, creative, or qualified for something. But there will be special people in your life — like a Vitruvius — who will help you identify what your talents are. Trust them. Their confidence in you will help your own confidence grow.
For Parents: Communicating to your child — and heck, even the other people in your life — that you have confidence in them will help them feel special. Emmet wasn’t sure he had what it took. And truthfully? He didn’t at first. But as his confidence grew by hearing others call him important and special, he began to understand that what he saw as weaknesses — not being a Master Builder, for example — were actually the strengths the team needed to succeed in their wild plan.
What I really love about The Lego Movie is that — in addition to being funny — the message it brings is balanced. It teaches that following the rules can be a good thing, but that you need creativity and teamwork to really thrive. Building character from both of those perspectives? Yes, please.
Maybe I’m reading too much into this simple kids’ movie about everybody’s favorite toy highly sophisticated interlocking brick system. Or maybe there’s a lot more to these ordinary little yellow Lego guys than we expected.
So this Taco Tuesday… or Freedom Friday… or whenever… I highly recommend you sit down and enjoy The Lego Movie with your family!
What do you think? Have you seen it? Let us know in the comments below!
(Please note, this is NOT a sponsored post. We just really love The Lego Movie. Like, a lot. We think you will, too!)
(Linked up to Project Inspire{d})
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About Aubrey Hunt
Before hopping on the crazy ride we call motherhood, I studied engineering and taught math and science to middle and high school students. Now, perhaps like you, I fill my days singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider and praying my preschooler will eat a vegetable — any vegetable!
26 thoughts on “4 (Awesome) Lessons to Learn from The Lego Movie”
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Great lessons- I haven’t seen the movie yet but plan on going during the summer movies special deals. I will use these talking tips with my kids.
Great idea! You’ll love it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! 🙂
Having boys we were WAY more into the LEGO Movie than Frozen (though that was pretty good too, we waited for the DVD). I was really impressed with how good the movie was–not just in a quality story line, but in the little lessons they cleverly snuck in. I hate it when a kid’s movie tries to whack you on the noggin’ with a moral. #typeaparent
Right? I just love a cleverly done kids’ movie… one that has the adults chuckling as well. Haven’t seen it much outside Pixar until now! Everything is awesome! Thanks for commenting!
We love the Lego movie, and this post is awesome (everything is awesome…). I agree, and I also love the messages behind this movie. And it’s funny. And the kids love it. And it really is just…awesome!
I know, right?? Such clever writing! It sticks with ya. Glad you enjoyed it as much as we did! (…everything is cool when you’re part of a team…)
Oh my goodness….we all need to feel special…and unfortunately….too many don’t. It’s amazing how kids rise up to the expectation when we set the bar high and we all win because of it. The movie sounds terrific. Thanks for the recommendation, Aubrey, and thanks for sharing this with us at Project Inspire{d}!
Also…I think you should share this with Barb at Life in Balance and her next Motivation Monday linky party: http://www.alifeinbalance.net
You’re so right. It’s great when others make you feel special! And your comments do just that for me. 🙂 Thanks for leaving one, and for the rec to share at Life in Balance. I’ll check it out for sure!
Great post! We purchased this movie last week and I can’t get “Everything is Awesome” out of my head.
Oh, yes, it’s a catchy little tune, right?? Thanks for your comment!
Stopping by from SITS. The title alone of this post got me. My boys loved this movie, they almost died laughing so I thought it was super fun that you did this post. Good movie, good post!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed my post and your kids enjoyed the movie like mine! 🙂
Great post and so true! Our family loved the movie and the messages it shared. It’s not often you find a kids movie that provides so many positive life lessons and advice. Stopping in from SITS. Have a wonderful weekend!
That is so true. I love finding movies with great messages. (For both kids and adults!) Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Hope your weekend is great, too!
I loved the movie, too. And, I don’t think you were analyzing it too much. That is exactly why those talented movie writers and directors make a ton of money: because it is entertaining and somewhat educational while being fun for kids and parents. Though the “Everything is Awesome” song gets stuck in my head for hours upon end, I don’t really mind it because it is so positive. Great post. From a SITS friend – CS
Ah! So true. (Thanks for saying I’m not overthinking it!) I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who kinda likes the “Everything is Awesome” song. Heehee! Thanks for visiting and commenting! 🙂
The LEGO Movie resonated in my house more than Frozen, too. Maybe because I have three boys. You’re right about all of these lessons! Found you from SITS Sharefest.
Thanks for coming by and commenting. We’re right there with ya. We saw Frozen once (at home), and we liked it, but the Lego characters were a much bigger hit with my son. Now, if his little sister had a say… but she’s only 1!
Nice lessons! My kids really enjoy the movie.
Mine, too! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
I haven’t seen this yet, but now I think I want to! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! Thanks for your comment. 🙂 I’m glad you wanna see it now. I hope you like it!!
Lovely printable! Thanks so much for sharing at my Google Plus Community!
You are so welcome — and so sweet to stop by and comment! Thanks! 🙂
Love this. Just heard the song with my three-year-old granddaughter. As one who once wrote a book called, “Falling In Love With Everything,” I think Everything Is Awesome is a wonderful sentiment. Yes, we have to be creative and fun-loving and outside the rules sometimes! Thank you for this great blog.
Oh, thank you for your kind words, Pat! I’m glad you share the sentiment. Just be careful of that song… it can be an earworm! 😉 Hope you have an AWESOME day!