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Why is it always the same ones

65 replies

VinoPleaseforOne · 03/03/2023 21:15

Okay, hear me out Mumnetters.

I really am not one of “ those “ Mothers.

I am not at all in any way.

I just wonder. Genuinely. Why it is that some teachers always pick the same children for main parts in school plays and for the delivery of lines.

As I have said to my child today after school, who was devastated at not being picked for anything again- it’s the taking part that counts.

It really doesn’t feel fair. I do understand to a certain extent why they do it- for confidence, reliability etc, but it is very upsetting for some of those children who are constantly left out.

Of course I would never say anything. Teachers have enough on their plate and do a cracking job, so this is not to bash them in any way.

I just wonder why this is so common and the reasons for this.

Please don’t hand my arse to me on a plate because as I say- this is not a teacher bashing thread.

OP posts:
Boosterquery · 04/03/2023 00:15

Assuming we're talking about a primary school child here OP, I would have a word with the teacher, explain that your DS was very upset at not getting picked and ask if he could be given a line. Make clear that all you're asking for is that he's given one line to say. At my DCs' large primary school, the teachers would write in extra lines as necessary to make sure that every DC who wanted a speaking part got one, even if it was just one line. It's a school play not a Shakespeare production by the RSC!

I personally think the request would be far better made face to face rather than by e-mail if at all possible.

walkersareback · 04/03/2023 01:32

Crikeyalmighty · 03/03/2023 22:39

Ah at my sons primary school it was the kids of the mum who participated in everything school had- PTA, accompanying trips, cake sales, you name it she was there- it was very unfair on working parents who couldn't offer this commitment to school life

It was the same at my DD's school in primary. The really annoying thing was that this woman's daughter was useless on stage but ALWAYS had a major part.

Crikeyalmighty · 04/03/2023 01:36

@walkersareback Ha- this ladies son wasnt exactly a natural either!!

Interested in this thread?

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Stressedafff · 04/03/2023 01:49

My primary school was exactly like this too OP. Teachers not allowing at least one kid just to have a go, it always seems to be the laid back just crack on quietly kids who get left out, I was one too.

Looking back I just think it’s damn right stupid. The parents who come to watch these plays know they’re not at the royal Albert hall and it’s a school play, they come to see their child do whatever. I remember my best friends mum saying once she’s not going to the play cos she’s not paying £3 to watch other peoples kids, they went to Crete instead for a week

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 04/03/2023 02:04

I got really tired of DC not being picked for things

The only answer was to take them to things outside of school. Eg drama classes. Every child at those gets a chance to do something instead of sitting on the side lines watching others. Its liberating, it changed everything for a really shy child.

Same with sports. Trying out for the school football team when places are so limited, meant they never got to have a chance. But weekend football clubs would have several teams and so they always got a go and were able to improve, and it was a much better experience all round, helped them find friends outside of school and generally improved their confidence.

growinggreyer · 04/03/2023 05:11

snitzelvoncrumb · 03/03/2023 22:20

If he really doesn’t want to go, I think it’s ok to let him miss it. It’s teaching him it’s ok to set boundaries. He didn’t demand a starring role, he just doesn’t want to stand at the back and be ignored. He might get a confidence boost by saying he won’t accept that.

This is totally the wrong approach. Flouncing off because you are not as special in real life as you are in your fantasies is no way to make a solid future for yourself. Building resilience, learning that you do what it takes for the team and showing that you can be humble and let others shine is also a skill.

toomuchlaundry · 04/03/2023 06:02

Separate from the play have you spoken to school about his confidence, getting hurt etc?

1AngelicFruitCake · 04/03/2023 06:03

I can offer a few perspectives on this as a teacher, parent of a child who gets overlooked and parent of a child who is always picked!

I try and share out roles as a teacher and enjoy giving overlooked children a chance to shine. It’s lovely seeing a child do well who hasn’t had a chance before. However, I have also chosen certain children to be a narrator for example because I know they can take the pressure and speak clearly.

For my overlooked child, it’s so disheartening when she is so desperate to get chosen. My other child has been chosen for a number of big parts now. I feel guilty because other children deserve a chance! However, at the Christmas performance for example, she was completely calm and confident with a fairly large crowd and I know a number of the parents told me their child would have struggled with that so I suppose it’s because they can rely on her.

RogersOrganismicProcess · 04/03/2023 06:35

Op, I really do understand your sadness at you little boy not being chosen. You feel that his confidence is at rock bottom and of course that feels worrying for you.

Can we ask what age (or key stage, if you want to be less specific) he is at please?
When I read that he hurt himself and badly scuffed his knees, but seemed unable to tell his teachers, I could very much see how confidence is a real issue for him. The confidence and ability to seek comfort from key adults is something we would want/expect to see develop during the Early Years.

All children are unique and non of us here know your son, only you do, but some of us will have many years in working with children and would like to support you in supporting him.

One of the things that stands out from your posts is a feeling/worry maybe you have, of “I want to tell the teachers, that this feels unfair to my son, but I can’t/shouldn’t.” This worry seems to mirror the response of your little boy when he fell and hurt himself “I have hurt myself badly, I can’t/shouldn’t tell my teachers”.
If you Google “construct theory” it may help to explain a possible reason for this.

Very basically, as we develop and grow we develop our blueprint for behaviour and values by closely observing those closest to us. It is the reason some people are never late/ some people are perfectionists/ some people keep choosing abusive relationships/ some people always take their shoes off going into another persons house. Constructs often have a “judgement” feeling attached to them.

From the example of what I perceived to be mirrored behaviour, above, the construct would be “It isn’t good to share feelings with…”. In some families it might be “…anyone” in some it may be “…people outside the family” or possibly ”…someone in authority.”

By considering construct theory you can also see how the confident PTA mum’s child is maybe more likely to be given roles where confidence is key. Construct “putting yourself out there is good.” We can also see how some of us attach value to central and key roles “I must be first/win”.

There used to be a saying “the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” But who says the tree needs to stay on the same projectors? By carefully selecting the right growing conditions, and what it is exposed to, the little tree might end up even lovelier than those that went before it.

If any of this resonated, my first advice, before anything else, would be to work on that construct which is holding you both back from expressing how you feel to the teachers. Allow him to see you express your needs/wants/desires and you be ok before/during and after, and keep doing it. It will start to give him the confidence to do the same. He will be gaining a skill that will support his happiness throughout his life, and you might find some positive benefits for you too.

I hope that helps. And good luck with the show. I am sure whatever role he has, you will love him in, because he is your boy.

BrookeDavisQueen · 04/03/2023 06:43

VinoPleaseforOne · 03/03/2023 21:31

I see what you are saying and it is preparing them for life but it is still disheartening for them. Especially as they are only eight years old .

When they try so hard yet are once again turned down: being seated on the back row despite being the smallest, or one of the smallest, in the class and can barely even see to the front. Without a line or anything. He said it makes him feel invisible.

As I say I would never mention anything to the teachers or to school, other than on here and to my DH, but it does make me sad.
And I can’t help that. Because it isn’t equal and I try so hard to instil in my children the importance of equality and to treat each other how we would like to be treated.

Actually I would say something. Not in a shitty way like 'why haven't you picked my kid' but tell the teacher your child is keen to have a larger role and what do they need to do to make that happen - what work/effort do they need to put in.

Performing on stage as a kid isn't just about performing in stage it's about putting yourself in front of other people to be looked at. It helps with job interviews, presentations, management all sorts of work life skills.

Forestfire12345 · 04/03/2023 06:57

Well, why do choose anyone for a certain task?
They have the skills/aptitude you require- read well, speak slowly and clearly. This is a RARE skill btw.
You are confident they will actually do the task. Reliable in prep. List goes on...
I think it's kibdvof like choosing the track team. Some of us don't make the grade 😂

icanneverthinkofnc · 04/03/2023 08:07

It was like this when my DC ( now all in mid 30s) were little.

DS2 was an extremely good singer, a church chorister, yet it was the peripatetic music teachers son chosen every time. To be fair to him, he was a nice boy. The school knew he sung but was never interested.

It got to year 6, and they were allowed to do their own show. The boy and DS decided to sing together.

The class teacher said to me,' Oh, icanboy has hid his light under a bushel, hasn't he?' I replied' not really, you knew he sung, he just wasn't a teachers son was he' she flushed bright red.

Snugglemonkey · 04/03/2023 08:49

VinoPleaseforOne · 03/03/2023 21:31

I see what you are saying and it is preparing them for life but it is still disheartening for them. Especially as they are only eight years old .

When they try so hard yet are once again turned down: being seated on the back row despite being the smallest, or one of the smallest, in the class and can barely even see to the front. Without a line or anything. He said it makes him feel invisible.

As I say I would never mention anything to the teachers or to school, other than on here and to my DH, but it does make me sad.
And I can’t help that. Because it isn’t equal and I try so hard to instil in my children the importance of equality and to treat each other how we would like to be treated.

Why would you not speak to a teacher? I would. Not about having a line, as I appreciate all the reasons given why teachers make choices about that, however I would mention being in the back row if one of the smallest and feeling invisible.

BadlydoneHelen · 04/03/2023 09:00

I can tell you why I've just done this if it helps? We have to put on a short performance in about three weeks time. We have various other things taking place over the next two weeks and looking at timetables will probably only have time for one, maybe two read throughs before the day itself. We pick children I know can read really well and remember when to stand up and sit down without little or no practise and hope for the best!

VinoPleaseforOne · 04/03/2023 18:31

Thank you everyone for all your replies 💕

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