TV watching at school.

[AIN]

My DS has been in reception since September and it was the first day of a new term yesterday. At the beginning they watched a fair amount of tv. Ranging from postman pat, fireman Sam, finding nemo and more educational stuff like number jacks etc. This seemed to settle down and lots more tv (a film every afternoon ) during the last week before Xmas. It was the first day back yesterday and they were made to watch a film after lunch until home time (according to ds). He was put on the sad face a school because he kept trying to play while the film was on (he was sat next to a box of cars). I think this is really harsh and I would much rather they be playing than watching a film. I don't know whether to say anything?

[JarethTheGoblinKing]

Really? Is this what your DS told you, or does this come from the teacher?

I'd have a word, tbh. If there really is that much tv then that's ridiculous

[5Foot5]

So is your AIBU about the fact that they appear to watch so much TV rather than doing lessons or the fact that your DS was not allowed to play instead of watching the TV?

Are you really sure that they watched all afternoon? Isn't it possible a 5 yo little boy is a bit confused and it was just for a short time after the last play?

And was it a film or something educational?

[AIN]

This is purely from DS. I'm upset a both, but mainly that he wanted to play rather than watch TV. He said it was a film. I don't know which one but had a man named Ralph that nobody likes because he breaks stuff and sleeps on bricks!

[HanSolo]

Have you asked his teacher or TA? 5yo can be less than reliable at times.

[Atenco]

Yuck

[hazeyjane]

Wreck It Ralph (that is the film!)

It does sound like a lot of TV/film watching.

Ds is in year 1 and watches some Something Special (they use makaton in class) and occasionally something that relates to their topic, like Room On The Broom.

Dds are at a different school, and can choose to watch a film before the end of term, as part of golden time.

[BrianButterfield]

Sounds very odd - DS's school all watched a film on the last afternoon of term and they made quite a big deal about it which tells me it's not a usual thing. I can't see how they would have time anyway!

[inlovewithhubby]

I hate tv in school, unless it's genuinely educational it's just lazy teaching, or rather an absence of teaching. For down time, stories, puzzles, quiet play, or even a big run around outside are all preferable and much more likely to have learning content. Discouraging active play, as happened to your child, is bloody outrageous. Do they want a room of zombies?!

I complained about this when my eldest was in reception and it was stopped immediately. Talk to the teacher first, and if no joy, talk to the headteacher. I asked the question 'would you do that if Ofsted were in? If not, you can't defend it.' They accepted this wholesale. There is no more tv in school. Lots of parents thanked me for daring to say what they were all thinking.

You are not being unreasonable and are most certainly being reasonable to insist it stops. You'll be doing everyone a favour.

[AIN]

Well apparently today they watched ninja turtles and part of a film about a gross penguin. Think I might ask some of the other parents and see if similar is being said to them.

[TurnOffTheTv]

That sounds utterly bonkers! I've got three kids and none of them have watched tv in school apart from the last day as a treat. I'm honestly gobsmacked it goes on.

[inlovewithhubby]

Turnoffthetv - would have been ironic for you to have any other response with that name!

[ketchupontoast]

My class watch a lot of videos too....they are linked to their learning! We even watched the John Lewis adverts to support our emotive writing. We have watched Oliver as we were studying the book and many more short clips.

[mrspremise]

Ninja turtles, though... How that could be linked in any way to the curriculum mystifies me!

[ketchupontoast]

There are many ways - depends on the content and the storyline.

[ketchupontoast]

Thanks miaow! I will magpie that! ha!

[Obs2016]

Check with teacher what the details/truth are, and if it is exactly as he says, tell teacher you're not happy.

[SavoyCabbage]

This happened to me when dd was in year one. Not in the uk though.

They watched a film every afternoon. I went in and spoke to the teacher about it and she said she did it because she was a big Disney fan! I told her that I wasn't sending dd in to watch tv. I had a TV at home, I didn't need to dress dd in a pinafore and make her a packed lunch so she could watch tv.

She stopped doing it. I don't think it crossed her mind that people might object.

[PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange]

ATM DC are watching tv every day in school due to the rain.

Once the weather is dry then its outside play.

Are you sure this isn't the case

[inlovewithhubby]

So if it's raining, all educational bets are off? Socialising with peers is no longer relevant? Even at playtime, there are a million other things to be done before switching on the bloody box. It's becoming all too common in schools, and in our world where the TV drones on as background noise in the majority of homes, it seems normal. It's not. It's unacceptable. Without challenge it will continue. Challenge away OP! You may be surprised at how easily they find alternative arrangements, for both education time and wet play or down time.

[youngestisapsycho]

Our school would not use TV for wet play. All classrooms have board games and activities that the children are encouraged to play.

[hollieberrie]

Agree Euphemia, TV watching nearly always ends in upset as concentration wanes, some children start chatting and fidgeting, then others that are trying to watch get cross with them etc. We had a film on the last day before Xmas (the children's choice) and after about 30 mins i ended up taking over half the class outside for a run around and some games instead.

OP - our HT would go spare if we were showing tv every day (wet play might be the only exception, but even then its normally games, reading etc). Could your DS be getting muddled? Although doesnt sound like it. Definitely clarify with the teacher.

[thisismypassword]

I'm a teacher and I use YouTube videos and the like to emphasise aspects of culture that I'm teaching (secondary languages) and it's really great to supplements my lessons. However it sounds like your son's teacher is a lazy arsehole. You need to get to the bottom of this. None of those films are educationally valuable.

[reni2]

Are you sure it wasn't number bonds using Ninja turtles? Two Nija turtles add three Ninja turtles... mine would have taken this as tv and not realised it was maths at that age