to be unimpressed by dd's teacher's explanation to her reception class about the strike tomorrow?

[littleducks]

DD is very good at quoting exactly, usually employed to embarass me! Although I admit the context is often lost.

Apparently dd's teacher told her that her class won't be coming in tomorrow as 'the government is taking away their (teacher's) money and making the work on and on and on'

DD wanted to know what the goverment is and why they were stealing the teachers money at bedtime.

I had told her she had tomorrow off previously, but hadnt gioven any explanantion really just said it was a 'holiday' like I had for the inset day next Mon.

[RitaMorgan]

Seems like a reasonable explanation to me.

[ChasingSquirrels]

my reception ds2 came home and said he "was striking cos the govberment were taking away the teachers pensions", and then "are your striking ds1?"
I thought that was a pretty good assessment of the situation.

[Adair]

Well, it's true.

you say 'because we haven't got enough money overall and the government want to spend it on nhs/bankers/libraries/mp pensions/weapons/schools instead' - delete as necessary.

[Chipotle]

I have to say this would probably annoy me too. A Reception child has no concept of government and striking... And just because the teacher feels this way about the government doesn't mean everyone does. I would happily accept it if there was a proper debate in class amongst teachers and students if they were in secondary.

[pippitysqueakity]

Well, how did you explain it? (to your 1, not class of 24 ish 4/5 yr olds who are really not interested...)

[MajorBumsore]

Can't understand what the problem is? Did you want her to explain about pensions?
My class asked me and I said I wasn't going into the political ramifications, but that they were changing teacher's working conditions and teachers are unhappy about it. They are 10.
Will be taking my DS with me on the march tomorrow. He is aware of why he is coming. He is 5.

[Ismeyes]

What do you suggest as a better explanation? I think it is good that she is asking what the government is. I have told my reception DD something similar.

[MajorBumsore]

Oops teachers' not teacher's. It's been a long day.

[littleducks]

Thats what I was thinking Chipotle

And i think its poor teaching not to explain what a government is.....leaving a 5 yr old imaging 'something' coming round and mugging teachers

Though I must admit i didnt fully explain (it was bedtime, in my defence) and just said that alot of people had alot less money now than they used to but that there were alot of people far worse off than us in ither countries and we should be worrying more about them (dd is participating in fundraising for village wells in Africa this week)

[littleducks]

I didnt lie to her! Euphemia

I told her she had a day off....no explanation of why....like next week she had a day off for inset/teaching training and bank holidays and days in lieu she has a day off school, I don't normally explain why, she doesn't care she just enjoys it

[knobbysEx]

I think it was right for the teacher to answer the question honestly. Would you prefer fudging or dishonesty? My kids 8 and 10 know exactly what is going on. They don't care much.... It's a day off school!!!

[trifling]

Why can't a reception child have a grasp of government and striking? Mine does. I think it's important to talk about this stuff at home.

[diggingintheribs]

Major - I think your reply was good

I think that politics is like religion - teachers shouldn't give their opinion. This time it might be something you agree with but next time you may not

I think at 5 it is too young for the teacher to have given that as an answer. As you say, it didn't actually tell them anything

[littleducks]

I think that MajorBumsore's ( at the username btw) explanation is spot on and is much better as an educational answer. I would have much prefered that, it is matter of fact and not emotive and wouldn't have worried/scared her.

I am sure I have explained 'the goverment' to her at some point, she has seen the houses of parliament and polling stations but she has obviously forgotten/or didnt assosciate that 'goverment' with the one she seems to think is like a playground bully, stealing things and making you do things you don't want to

[theinet]

teachers shouldn't be ramming political opinions down kid's throats, but sadly, many see it as their job to do just that. they should be teaching children to be independent thinkers, sadly few know the meaning of this themselves.

another reason why my kids would never go to a state school run by shitey local council education authority running political dogma.

[threefeethighandrising]

I'm with the teacher too.

My parents, and some of my teachers, were very active politically when I was little and it did me no harm. In fact I'd say it did me a lot of good.

I'd much rather bring my child up to be politically aware than apathetic.

[Onemorning]

I think it's good for kids to realise they don't have to be pushed around by Government. It's a great lesson in sticking up for your rights and joining with others to effect change.

[threefeethighandrising]

"like a playground bully, stealing things and making you do things you don't want to" pretty good assessment of the tories I'd say actually

When I was young it was Margaret Thatcher Milk Snatcher.

[diggingintheribs]

But kids shouldn't be told what to think - they should be encouraged to form their own opinions

Kids told the facts as Major told them are not going to grow up apathetic

Maybe it will encourage them to find out about the issues and ask people what their views are and then form their own ideas

(maybe not at 5! But at 10 that is more than possible)

[knobbysEx]

It's not like religion, that's a matter of belief and faith. The reason for the strike is a matter of FACT. Teachers are there to teach our children facts.

[Slambang]

Teachers should tell the truth while letting the children decide what's right or wrong. That is what this teacher did.

[Thruaglassdarkly]

I don't think it's appropriate at all. The children are far too young to grasp these ideas and she's confused your little one who sounds as though she's now a bit worried about this government person who steals money from people. Sorry, I think she's irresponsible. Older children could understand that was her political opinion and take it with a pinch of salt, but little ones just don't have the capacity to do that and whatever teacher tells them is so. She's abusing her authority in my opinion and I'd be pissed off too.

[crimsonchina]

actually that's a pretty accurate explanation isn't it?

[Slambang]

If I was the teacher I might have said the government made a promise about what they would pay to teachers when they stopped working but now they want to break that promise.