Babies Documentary

Filmmaker, Thomas Balmes offers a glimpse at the first phase of life in this film following four newborn babies through their first year of life. ~Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Dialogue-free documentary that follows the progress of four infants in Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and California .

Reminder

View the documentary with an open mind, respect, and acknowledgment of how cultures vary around the globe.

Babies capture

the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.

82 minutes

Suggestion: Documentary can be shown by sections

You can work with a classmateYou will take notes during filmCompare w/ your partner (if applicable)Then do the written reflection assignmentPrepare a 5 minute presentation (visual aid)Papers & presentations due Wed. 4/22/15

Ponijao- Opuwo, Namibia

Ponijao, who lives with her family near Opuwo, Namibia; Ponijao’s family is part of the Himba tribe, including her parents & eight older brothers and sisters and lives in a small village with other families.

Scenario: Two African children play with

rocks inside a hut when the younger one decides to reach for a nearby plastic bottle — only to have the older toddler suddenly push her and grab it away. One bites, the other shrieks, tears are shed and the laughter of shared recognition fills the air.

This scenario can explored the topic of Understanding Children’s Behavior

Bayarjargal - Mongolia

Bayarjargal is the only baby boy in the film. He lives in Mongolia with his parents and a 2-year-old brother.

Mari- Japan

Mari lives with her mother and father in Shibuya, a busy metropolitan area within Tokyo, at the center of all of the city’s noise and excitement. Mari is an only child and lives a contemporary urban lifestyle.

Hattie- California

Both of Hattie’s parents are equally involved in her day-to-day life, fixing her meals, taking her to play groups, and spending time with her around the house.

ReflectionReflection

How much do Ponijao, Bayarjargal, Mari, and Hattie have in common, despite being born to different parents and raised in different cultures?

Provide a brief description of what babies in the documentary have in common.

Identify 3 child development theories in the documentary.

Activity

Essay- 1.5 pages / 10 pts Essay- 1.5 pages / 10 pts