If you own (or have access to) a camcorder, why not make a film of the child? Whether they are 10 days or 10 years old, the memories captured in homemade movies are priceless.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t worry about your (lack of) filmmaking skills - everyone will be too busy cooing over the content to worry about the light and sound quality. Modern camcorders are designed to make producing a decent home video easy.
Newborn Home Movies
Be sensitive to the needs of the parents, especially if it is their first child. They may be in despair at the disarray of the house and the last thing they want is someone popping in at short notice with a camcorder.
The best thing to do is to give the parents a home made gift voucher for a filming session at a time of their choosing.
Things to film – discuss with the parents which of these they want:
- Bathtime
- Feeding time
- The baby asleep
- Shots of the baby with individual family members
- The nursery
- Other gifts received
- Informal interviews with the family members.
If there are older children around (especially toddlers) it is vital you make them feel included. Devote some of the film to them on their own. Perhaps they could prepare something to perform if appropriate.
Toddler Home Movies
Children of this age will probably see the camcorder as a toy and may have a tantrum if they cannot get their hands on it (and never, ever let them get their hands on it!). A tantrum on film is not such a big deal (and probably a source of great hilarity in years to come) but make sure something is organised that will distract them enough for you to film unnoticed.
What to film
- A party or small gathering
- If possible, some film at home in a more everyday context (the reality TV of toddlerhood!)
- Film in- and outdoors
- Playing games
- Bathtime
- Things that mark the child’s development – proper bed, riding a tricycle, drinking from a lidless cup
- Some conversation with the toddler, depending on how far speech has progressed.
Older Children Home Movies
By the age of four, the birthday boy or girl will have a better grasp of what a home movie is (if they have never seen themselves on television, make a short film to show them what it is before you make the real one).
For shy children, you may have to try to film unobtrusively – the same goes as for toddlers regarding setting up a distracting activity.
What to film
- A party or gathering to celebrate the birthday
- If the child is so inclined, suggest they prepare something to be filmed- a dance, show or demonstration of their toys
- If the child is shy, tell them you’ d like to film their dolls or Scalextrix track – it is easy to pan the shot out to include the child.
Harriet Morris - I started my career in education in 1995 as a secondary (high school) languages teacher, with a B.A. degree in French from Manchester ...
