Wrestling in nursery

[Catthecatlady]

I've had an email from my 3 year olds nursery teacher explaining that they had a wrestling activity yesterday. Some children where interested in wrestling so the teachers set up some mats and the children out chairs around them and watched as the children took turns to "wrestle" each other. I've spoken to other parents and it seems they were to push each other over and the winner was the one left standing up. AIBU to think this is unacceptable for 3-5 year old children? My child had never even heard of wrestling and I'd rather he wasn't introduced to it at such n early age. The teacher states it's beneficial to their development and it was part of further learning but I feel there are many other games they could have played to explore rules/imaginative play etc.
Should I take it further? Thanks

[BratFarrarsPony]

yeh right.

[Whynotnowbaby]

It sounds a very odd thing to encourage them to do. How are they going to react when the children decide to continue to hone their skills at other times. I would definitely voice a concern about this.

[afalmartin]

BS

[PunkrockerGirl]

Of course that happened. Nice try not

[hazeyjane]

It depends if they had to wear lucha libre masks, and whether the adults were putting bets on. Pretty sure wrestling isn't in the EYFS though.

[BratFarrarsPony]

ooh new poster..first post..

[ManaFleet]

On one hand, this sounds highly unlikely and I'd bow to more experienced MNers than me if they call bullshit.

On the other, why on earth would someone make it up? It's hardly very dramatic. I ask this as a genuine question, as I find some of the trolling posts completely baffling. If you're going to fake it, fale it in style.

[Catthecatlady]

It wasn't actual wrestling she said the most contact they had was some hand holding but I don't understand how they would manage to push people over with hand holding. She claims it was more about the audience/ commentator roles and the children that took part loved it. It's all about boys tough and tumble play apparently and allowing them to learn through it. I don't agree with it at all

[SavoyCabbage]

No, it's totally normal and is a part of EYFS now. We are doing the Roman amphitheater next week having done Greco-Roman wrestling before half term.

[Catthecatlady]

Totally not trolling just a mumsnet lurker and wanted to ask what people thought in general. Feel like the teacher is fobbing is off saying its educational and using lots of jargon but I don't get how it could ever be accepted

[PunkrockerGirl]

That's nothing OP. When my dc were in nursery, morning break was a fag and a can of Special Brew. Lunch was off-site at Wetherspoons and every afternoon staff and pupils slept it off until pick-up time. Kids these days think a bit of wrestling is so 'out there', they've not got a clue.

[hazeyjane]

I hope they all got a turn to do.......'Lets get.......ready...to...RUUUUUUMMMBLE!!!'

[Catthecatlady]

So clearly nobody is taking it seriously, I know it's not acceptable it wasn't actual wrestling it was pretend and they wernt hurting each other. My issue is that they shouldn't be introducing wrestling at all their far too young? She has sent some articles saying its all in support of rough and tumble play and helps their social skills as they learn boundaries and they were learning how to do it safely

[DonkeyOaty]

Are you posting from Japan?

[Groovee]

I work in nursery and have never heard anything like it. Normally we tell the children about kind hands and feet and being kind to each other.

[Mistletoekids]

Sounds odd
One of my DC is a similar age and id be mighty put out if they were being encouraged to push other children over as part of a competition

[Catthecatlady]

Groove that's what confused me usually it's all about being kind to our friends it's my first child and I am a bit over protective but I just don't want him exposed to it at all. She is saying there was no actual hitting or anything it was just like simulating a wrestling match but I just think using wrestling as a theme/game isn't age appropriate for 3-5s

[PollyHampton]

Load of bollocks. This would never happen.

[Catthecatlady]

I think someone complained and that's why she sent the email out explains it but I think she's just trying to cover her ass sending out articles and trying to blindsight us with information

[NoNutsPlease]

I went on a EY course where the course leader spoke about visiting a setting where they did similar.

The boys were constantly wrestling so they got a 'wrestling mat' and gave them some rules (only two people at a time, only on the mat, stop when the other person says etc.)

Is the nursery very into 'child-led play'?

[Catthecatlady]

Yea their very into it, it's all about letting them choose what they want to do further. The room is very into superhero play and keep going on about allowing rough and tumble in a safe setting

[pimmsy]

Hello,

I'm in France and here wrestling is actually taught at "Ecole Maternelle" from age 2-5...
I only know because I once went to pick up a friends son and was quite quite shocked at the little ones in the play ground doing quite rough wrestling on small mats on the tarmac ground with the after school "animateurs".

I mentioned it to friend ( actually I was so shocked I video taped it with my phone.) Who said that shocking as it was it was very normal and accepted here!

And to prove my good faith... here are a couple of links to official "Education Nationale" documents on wrestling for Ecole Maternelle. ( Lutte meaning Wrestling!) + A cute little drawing that illustrates said documents

www.ac-nice.fr/ienstandre/IMG/pdf/ua_jeux_de_lutte_opposition_mat_chalons.pdf

www.revue-eps.com/fr/jeux-de-lutte-a-l-ecole-maternelle-avec-rikiki-la-fourmi_o-15387.html

ecoles48.net/infos/IMG/pdf/maternelle_module_lutte_ms.pdf?PHPSESSID=c7416c942cbe73fa418d2c2ea500d3a2

[LetitiaCropleysCookbook]

Cue long gap while everyone goes onto google translate to gain a better understanding of French Early Years wrestling!