To think that dd's PE kit was at school YET she did PE in her underwear..?

[Shhhh]

Surley its not unreasonable to expect that if a PE kit is provided and at school that come the PE lesson it should be worn..? AND that a group of 5/6 yr old boys and girls are not running about in their knickers..?

Umc - it's not humiliation. No one points and laughs at them. 30 children getting changed can take forever! I'd rather they did PE in their underwear than not at all.

Sounds very like humiliation to me - a way of showing up the slow ones. My DS would be mortified. He's only almost-4, but having the right kit on for any job is one of his bugbears. I think I would have been very upset too (as OP's daughter was) - even if I hadn't understood clothing taboos, I would have felt cold and exposed. And also unreasonably rushed, not being very dexterous. There's either got to be time for everyone to get changed or for no-one.

I don't think doing PE is underwear is either shameful or humiliating, but I do think it is entirely pointless and out-dated.

How sweaty are they going to get at this age? Let them stay in their clothes and just wear daps or go barefoot if there isn't time for a change of clothes. Perhaps the teacher needs to allow 5 year olds longer to change if they are 'too slow' for her.

I should say it's not really the degree of nakedness that bothers me. We're half-Swedish and perfectly happy with naked swimming, nakedness at home, etc. It's the suggestion of being made to do PE in less clothes than other people because one is slow that bothers me - that does make an issue out of what and how much each child is wearing.

Agree with mummyofexcitedprincesses. There has to be a better way of dealing with this.

pixie, if thats the case why do the school insist on PE kits..?

why not just say " save yourself money and pop a pair of knickers and a vest on"..?

To those that feel I am to blame and have let my dd down if she feels bad doing PE in her underwear than shame on you.

My reaction was not shocked at all in front of dd, just curious. In fact I naver mentioned it to dh as I forgot. It was dd who seemed to get into a state after being home for 10 mins, after comforting her and getting to the root of the problem she brought it up. It was then dh asked me if I was aware of it and so the conversation started.

IMO its not everyday occurance to wander around in underwear..thats why its called underwear. You wear it under clothing.

Thats my understanding anyway.
Would you exercise in your underwear..? Nope..you would put on clothing. Whatever you may wear and however revealing iyo it is still clothing and IMO that applies to kids. Just because of their age doesn't make it better.

Yes, ok I will say it. This world is full sadly of people who prey on lo's. There is no denying it. Im not in any way saying school harbour any of these folk BUT the neighbour hood may. Dd's school hall where they do PR is in full view of the main road, people walk past, drive past the hall. People can clearly see into the hall.

As a parent, I dont want my dd being in the position. Simple as. I dont hold myself responsible for my thoughts and my wish to protect my child.

Flame me if you wish but as a 31 yr old I feel I am more aware and more able to make the right decisions for my 5 year old. I have 26 years of knowledge more than my dd.

I think it could well be as DanceInTheDark says. Not getting changed quick enough.
How's your DS in the mornings for getting himself dressed and staying on task?

The thing I find most worrying in this situation is that the support teacher said to a parent that she was shocked at the actions of the teacher and would not be happy if they were her children. Very unprofessional to say this to a parent instead of encouraging the parent to speak directly to the teacher. Also very unprofessional and cowardly to be 'shocked' by something and not approach the teacher about it.

The fact OPs daughter chose not to wear PE kit and then regretted it later is unfortunate but she will probably not make this choice again.

just to add,there was no choice inc PE kit.
It was school uniform or underwear.

dd choose underwear. BUT to give a 5 yr old freedom of choice is madness in this situation. I mean dd would choose icecream or chocolate for dinner over veg dinner. Doesn't mean its right...

Sorry, DD not DS.
See I'm also thinking that if she's actually upset by it, then she is seeing it as a punishment which makes me think that the teacher had maybe had enough and said something like 'right, if you're not ready when I've counted to 20 or whatever, you can come to the hall as you are'.
I can't think why else she'd be upset if not thinking that she's in trouble/let the teacher down etc.

paisley, dd is fab with dressing herself.
I leave her clothes out and by the time im showered she is ready and waiting for me.

sad thing is serendippy,I remember PE lessons at school and even athletics at secondary shcool where we wore next to nothing and I hated the lessons. Didn't see the point of making us were next to nothing. Yeah sure the athletics thing was when I was 13+ but imo un needed...

Humiliation imo. (Im not saying dd was at 5yr old but to expect teenagers to do it..)

paisley, she said she didn't like it. Thats all.

I remember kids being made to do pe in their underwear at infant school and the humiliation associated with it.

Both my ds are fine dancing round half dressed at home but make either if them do pe in their underwear and they would be horrified. it would put them off pe and school for a long time.

If this is a time issue then the teacher needs to get better at time management. If this is because some children were too slow to get dressed then at this age this amounts to cruelty.If that's the case children have been punished for being developmentally immature.

I would raise it with the teacher and explain how upset your dd was. hopefully it was just badly thought out.

If she didn't like it, she will choose clothes next time. You are only going on her word and that of a gossipy support teacher who only walked in partway though the session.

I hated PE lessons and I was fully clothed.

She chose, she regretted, she told you her version of what happened, it's over. If it happens again, even after you have discussed with her what she might do if offered the choice again, you will then have reason to go and complain.

I wear clothes because I have adult hang ups, and pubic hair, breasts and am sexually active and so underwear has a different meaning. I hope my dd wouldn't have an issue about 'underwear' when she starts school in a year, innocence should be kept intact unless it's vital to remove.

OP are you thinking a local paedo is standing outside of the school have a wank? Or is your dd in her underwear present some magic powers that allow people to come and take her? Adn do you really think a sex offender would not be turned on by kids in PE kits?

I wish DS2 were a little more ashamed. It's hard keeping that child clothed!

pixie, Im not getting into an argument with you. You have your opinion and I have mine. We bring our lo's up how we feel is ringht. Noone tells us how to do it, we learn. Mostly learn from the mistakes by those that brought us up.

You say I should be ashamed..? Please dont be so judgemental on me when you dont even know me.

I said shame on you because you seem to be so shocked at my dd's views and opinions.
You are obviously a better mother than me so I will now go and look for that gold star you need awarding.

posie, im actually [shocked] at your posting.

I understand that some paedo get a kick from fully clothed kids BUT I don't even want my lo being in any situation that makes her vunerable. What a disgusting way to phrase it.

Simply explain to your lo that next time she is given a choice, make the right one.

thats my plan serendippy.
I will speak to her teacher tonight and then explain to dd that I have discussed it and what her options are next time. IMO there shouldn't be a next time.

Why does being in your vest and pants in a PE lesson make you vulnerable, fgs?

Honestly, you are making way too much of this. I can appreciate that you have your opinions, but 5 year olds tend to get their opinions from their parents - which may go a long way to explain why such a young child felt so upset. What are you going to do when she has swimming lessons, and has to use a (cold) public pool dressed 'only' in a swimming costume?

Euuurgh....I hate the term 'lo'.

Why is your dd worried about being in her vest and pants? What information have you fed her that makes her fell like this? you need to have a rod with yourself.