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Primary education

McDonalds Song

36 replies

mintymum · 15/09/2011 13:00

My daughter started reception last week and after 3 days came home and said she wanted her birthday party at McDonalds. We were confused as she's only been to McDonalds about four times and we don't really talk about it much. Then I discovered that they are singing the Fastfood Song as part of their wake up shake up routine. I was very upset about this as I don't want fastfood brands advertised to her at school at the age of only 4! The teacher said she couldn't see the problem and referred me to the Headteacher. I spoke to the Headteacher today and I think she saw my point but doesn't want parents interfering with the curriculum. I can't believe that they can promote healthy eating and yet sing this song as part of a fitness routine!! The head said she will raise it at the staff meeting but judging by the class teacher's reaction I don't think the head will change her mind. One of the main problems is that they've been doing this song for two years and no-one has complained before. Also that although the parents I spoke to in the playground agreed it was bad, only one other parent wanted to make a fuss about it. Does anyone else have this song at their school? The head said that all the children know the song already - is this true or only true of the ones who have older brothers and sisters?

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newtermnewname · 15/09/2011 13:45

Do you mean the "McDonalds, McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut etc" one?

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Lousielou · 15/09/2011 13:51

I wouldn't be happy at all if this song was being sung every day by my 4 year old DS in school! He certainly doesn't know the song (although has eaten in all mentioned establishments on occasion........)

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misdee · 15/09/2011 13:52
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newtermnewname · 15/09/2011 13:54

Write your own version eg "Felafel! felafel! An Innocent smoothie and some veggie stew!

As you were...

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Tinkerisdead · 15/09/2011 14:00

I hate that song. My Friends little boy sings it loads, maybe he's singing it at school too. My dd is almost three and i'd have issue with it. The lyrics are about the flavour being enticing, you love it, you want it. Bleugh. And yes my dd has had macdonalds and pizza but i wouldnt want her singing about how great it is.

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blackeyedsusan · 15/09/2011 14:00

she will want a lot more things than a party at mcdonalds soon... as the parent you say no. job done.

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fiodyl · 15/09/2011 14:02

DD learnt that song in reception too- it wasn't part of a healthy routine though ( it is admittedly an odd choice of song) didn't bother me too much as she has eaten loads of fast food was already aware those establishments existed.

More bothered about the harvest festival song she came home singing this week-something like "....thank you father for the food on our table....." In our house its the mother who puts food on the table and deserves all the thanks Grin

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stealthsquiggle · 15/09/2011 14:06

My DD picked up that bloody song from somewhere too - she is absolutely banned from singing it at home. I am now suspicious as to whether she learned it at school.

I cannot think that is the sole source of wanting party at Macdonald's, though - someone else must have been talking about it - DD has never been to a Macdonalds party and I don't think it would occur to her to think of it as a party venue.

As to whether they "all" know it already - it depends. It seems to be part of a lot of party entertainers routines, so maybe they do.....but it's not exactly current, so I can't see where else they would have picked it up. Anyway, that is a feeble excuse as I bet there are loads of other suitable songs which they already know or would pick up quickly.

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picnicbasketcase · 15/09/2011 14:15

Singing a song about fast food wont actually have any effect on small children, you know. If they come home and ask for burgers or pizza or fried chicken and you don't approve, you can say no and never take them to the establishments in question. I don't see the point in getting upset over it, beyond the song being really bloody annoying when it gets stuck in your head.

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crumpet · 15/09/2011 14:21

Get them to change the words to the big red bus song - the actions are more fun too.

"A big red bus, a big red bus, a mini mini mini and a big red bus. Ferraaari Ferraaaari, a mini mini mini and a big red bus..."

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mintymum · 15/09/2011 14:38

Yes that's definitely the song. I think it does have an effect on small children that's how advertising works, if she hears it every morning at 'school' then she's going to want to go there more. She's at a vulnerable age. I try to stop her watching TV adverts but when she does sometimes see one she immediately wants to buy whatever it is. I take on board that you don't have to give into that and I certainly won't but it doesn't help when the school is sending contradictory messages.

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Proudnscary · 15/09/2011 14:44

It's a bit off, yes. My two have had McDonalds loads of times, I'm not precious about fast food every couple of weeks but really no need for this at school.

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littleducks · 15/09/2011 14:46

We used to sing that at guides when I was young, well the chorus only.

I would be ok with dd singing the chorus.....not so sure about the "I liick my lips, I can't resist! and the suggestive hip shaking though Hmm

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tinytalker · 15/09/2011 14:47

I can't believe you are seriously complaining to the teacher and then to the Head over this Shock. I'm sure they love you!
I bet you don't let your children sing Baa Baa Black sheep either.
Frankly there are more important things in your child's education to worry about. If you wind up the teachers about something as piffling as this then you run the risk of being labelled and passed off as a moaner so when you do have a more important issue you may not be taken seriously. I'm afraid it was parents like you that made my job as a reception/Yr1 teacher more stressful than it need have been. Take a chill pill!

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Bramshott · 15/09/2011 14:50

Fine for juniors (who will probably already know it!), inappriopriate for reception IMO.

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Bramshott · 15/09/2011 14:50

inappriopriate?? Spelling fail!

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MayDayChild · 15/09/2011 15:00

I'm in the inappropriate band too! I would have done exactly the same OP.

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Peachy · 15/09/2011 15:04

We used to sing this song at school (those strange performers sang it, they didn't create it) , and I am pushing 40! I don't like McDnalds and it really had NO effect on me.

Would I worry? nope.

I do mean teh chorus though not the whole fast food rockers (why do I remember that???) bit. But that's abouta dvertising as much as age inappropriateness.

They did a song about preferring MAcDonalds to famile meals in the junior leaving play last summer; and we are a rare school wit no obesity of healthy eating issues.

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neerg · 15/09/2011 19:18

You need to think about why the school is singing this song. You say that they sing it as part of their wake up and shake up, so they are not doing it to advertise- more because the actions that go with it are good and fun for the children to do. Your child will now be open to lots of influences that you can not control and come home with the latest crazes or ideas that buzz through school and the playground. You are being a bit PFB about this- just say no to the party and move on.

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mrz · 15/09/2011 19:27

It's a really old song although I've never heard the You tube lip licking version sung in a school

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mamsnet · 15/09/2011 19:29

Well, I don't consider myself precious about stuff like fast food (it has its moments) but I would be FURIOUS if that song were part of my little girl's routine.

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redrobin · 15/09/2011 19:54

completely inappropriate! there are plenty of songs with actions that they could sing - i started a thread yesterday about my daughter coming home with a barbie book - is school just a marketing opportunity now? i would have complained really strongly, well done.

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yellowkiwi · 15/09/2011 20:43

My Ds came home from Reception saying that we had to eat lots of Nestle cereal so that the school could buy lots of lovely books. I considered complaining to the school, but thought better of it and just explained to him why we wouldn't be doing that and he's never asked again.

Anything to avoid one of mummy's little rants Grin.

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limetrees · 15/09/2011 20:52

You can tell your DD that too much fast food isn't particularly healthy at home.

I think that it is a bizarre choice of song for them to sing in reception, but I wouldn't have said anything myself. You will make a name for yourself if you continue to hassle teachers about this sort of thing - NOT because you are wrong, of course you are correct, but because teachers are soooo busy and have huge amounts of work to deal with.

As for the McDonalds party - she probably heard that from another child anyway. She's 4 - you decide what party she's having (or not having) and you can make up any excuse you like - you could go with your stance on fast food or you could tell her McDonalds is full on her birthday/anything you want. Or distract her with a better offering.

Our school does things that I might not do but I just do as the teachers say so that my kids can participate without hassle.

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