Numberjacks - child terrified, help!

[bestthingsinlife]

Hi

My little boy (just turned 4) started school this September.

It's transpired over the last 2-3 weeks that they watch number jacks at school, and he's become terrified of being alone at bed time.

He's always been a bad sleeper, and tends to climb into bed with me and DH when we go up to bed (he'll normally go to sleep on his own, in his own bed first).

When I say scared, tonight he was shaking, and had tears by his eyes when he finally drifted off (next to me in bed, comforting him).

I feel so desperately sad for him.. and don't know what to do.

So Mumsnet any words of wisdom? How do we help him be less scared/cope? Do we talk to the school? Something we can do at home? I'm at a loss! There seems to be one character he's most scared of which is the problem blob, and actually I think it may be quite scary for such a little soul!

Help!

Oh god my daughter laps it up. She likes being scared, as did DS. To be fair they also love doctor who which scares the pants off me. I do talk to them about computer graphics and costume and how it all works so they understand that this isn't real. Lots of kids do love it and it is fantastic for maths, they explain really well and visually, so I can see why schools use it.

Mine hated the number taker and spooky spoon. They're 9 & 10 now. I still remember it even if the kids don't.

Whoever said they shouldn't be watching anything at school- we've had Come Outside (Aunty Mabel and Pippin) on at lunchtimes.

The children have to stay at their desks to eat at present. Sometimes we use a program as something to stick on whilst the slower eaters catch up, before we go in the playground. We all love watching Pippin ❤️ and it's educational. We all learnt how crisps were made last week 😂.

DD loves number Jack's, it freaks me out although the number taker some sounds like he's singing "number fucker upper" which makes me laugh.

Schools should show number blocks it's much better

I know this thread is old, but seems to be a perennial problem. I'm horrified to find that my DD's reception class are regularly watching Numberjacks. I looked it up today on YouTube, thinking it was the one with the lemur things with numbers on their bellies ( realising later that, that one is called NumTums). Back to Numberjacks- I saw a couple of baddies or 'meanies' as they are called. I chatted to my Sister who had this experience with her children when they were the target audience back in the day - early to mid 2000's. It's so old and times have thankfully changed and so has quality TV output for kids. I've looked up the Number Taker - what a vile character for a 4yo to deal with - a creepy man who glides about , The former DJ one ( weird in itself as a character bio) who sets puzzles, the eyeless spitting blob, The evil Shape Japer (like a psychotic demon who for some reason us a woman) and WTAF is the spooky spoon ( who is also meant to be a woman why)?! The graphics are awful, the sound is bad, the characters are horrific and I can't see how it effectively reinforces any mathematical knowledge. I agree that Number Blocks is superior. It's current, bright, factual, fun, precise and bitesized and not at all sinister. I'm wondering how I should approach the subject with DD's teacher/school, to make the point that I don't want her watching this shit at school, but without causing a huge problem going forward. Any suggestions or sympathy please?