AIBU?
Is this wrong or is it a training aid?
TomKett · 06/04/2011 10:25
Dropped my children off at nursery today, went into the oldest room (age 3 - school age) and discovered they have a play shop set up. This shop is a pharmacy, and included at least 25 different 'real' drug packets and bottles.
Now am I wrong to think this is not a suitable 'toy' for pre school children?
ObscureReference · 06/04/2011 10:29
Presumably they dot have the drugs still in them? What is it that you are worried about?
Is it that they will see the drug packets at home that DO have pills etc in them and think it is a toy? I think the answer to that is to 1) make sure they are not accessible and 2) educate the children that pills are not toys if they do happen to see them.
Other than that worry, I see it as a good learning experience and role play of real life.
CotswoldCountryMummy · 06/04/2011 10:30
sounds slightly concerning. On the back of all drugs packets it states "Keep out of sight and reach of children" - so encouraging them to use them as part of play isn't a good idea at all. It's blurring the boundaries between having and fun and "those things you never ever touch". I think you're right to be concerned. We keep all our medicines out of reach and sight. Those messages are on there for a reason.
TomKett · 06/04/2011 10:44
I am not sure of the purpose of the 'shop' my children are not in nursery on Monday and Tuesday and when we went in today, she ran over and started playing with the drug packets. We obviously keep all drugs out of way at home, and have taught her that you do not touch drug boxes if they are lying around (grand parent houses / friends etc.) But this is just going against everything we teach. My concern is obviously she finds a packet at home and plays with it, then my baby finds where she left it and eats the pills etc. My view is drugs are not toys. And of course drug boxes may have residue of drugs on them, which in the quantities are not harmful, but a child (including mine) may have a reaction too.
BeerTricksPotter · 06/04/2011 10:46
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BeerTricksPotter · 06/04/2011 10:47
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CotswoldCountryMummy · 06/04/2011 10:50
exactly, i have never heard of a role play pharmacy.... theres a role play tea shop at DD nursery which is lovely. They learn to ask nicely and say please and thankyou. DD comes back and says "Cake please". If she came back and said "A packet of Valium and a box of durex" i wouldn't be too thrilled... :-0
ratspeaker · 06/04/2011 10:50
I wouldn't have been happy about my preschool children being allowed to play with medicine containers, packets and the like.
Bit of a mixed message to hide them away at home but be allowed to play withhthem at Nursery
Would they have bleach bottles out next?
Oddbins might teach them how a business deals going into Receivership...
BeerTricksPotter · 06/04/2011 10:56
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thumbwitch · 06/04/2011 11:01
I think I would probaby share your concern - mixed messages there. On the one hand, don't touch these at home ever; and on the other hand it's ok to play with them at playgroup. I don't think so. It might encourage them to play with similar packets at home, which of course would NOT be empty of the dangerous contents.
Daft idea.
BeerTricksPotter · 06/04/2011 11:01
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Cymar · 06/04/2011 11:19
I agree with Obscure. They might be being taught that drugs are dangerous, can make them sick when eaten and if found, pick them up and give them to an adult.
FWIW, from age 3 onwards, I showed my children what my different pills looked like so if they found one on the floor, they knew not to eat it and to pick it up and bring it to me. DC's are now 5 & 6yo and have never consumed any tablet.
How do we expect kids to learn about dangerous drugs if they're not taught about them?
ShinyMoonInAPurpleSky · 06/04/2011 11:24
I actually had a toy medical set with a syringe in it when I was a child, along with a stethiscope (sp?) and one of those ear temperature things - I never associated it with drugs, it was for jabs!
(You could also buy chocolate fags from the local sweet shop though 
)
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