Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

AIBU to allow my 7 year old to do a class talk on NERF

34 replies

shortofbread · 29/05/2012 16:46

My 7 year old ds has to do a two minute talk on a topic of his choice in class.

He has done this before, once on guinea pigs anthen on ski-ing.

This time he has asked to do it on NERF. He is NERF mad and collects the blasters. Whilst it wouldnt be my choice I have said he can do it on NERF because it is something he loves and will enjoy talking about so hopefully he will do well. I think as long as he has interesting facts and speaks clearly for the required time then the topic is somewhat irrelevant.

AIBU? Should I force him to do it on some intellectual topic which he has no interest in or let him fill his boots?

OP posts:

wishiwasonholiday · 29/05/2012 16:48

I'd let him go for it of they said a topic of his choice. The teacher may be more specific next time and request something intellectual!

DreamingofSummer · 29/05/2012 16:49

Let him get on with it. Many kids wouldn't have the nerve to talk to the class about anything. Let him speak and get confident about public speaking

Sunscorch · 29/05/2012 16:50

The point is almost certainly to develop speaking and listening skills.

The teacher won't even give half a shit what the topic is, so long as your son demonstrates the ability to present an engaging talk.

Let him fill his boots.

AKMD · 29/05/2012 16:52

YANBU it's brilliant that he's excited about it.

FunnyLovesTheJubilee · 29/05/2012 16:54

yes let him. Just thinking what DS1's choice would be. He's 6 and it would be Sponge Bob, Plants v Zombies or Club Penguin, but then he's a boy

NicNocJnr · 29/05/2012 16:56

Another vote to go for it! It's a speaking/listening exercise rather than curriculum knowledge so if he has something that he's really enthused about then excellent! plus nerf guns are totally awesome and I gave 3 so I thoroughly approve

valiumredhead · 29/05/2012 17:00

Yes let him get on with it! My DS loves all things Nerf, I keep waiting for him to grow out of it but now he is 11 he is into them more than ever, did you know they can be spray painted and modified, there are tutorials on youtube Keeps him busy for HOURS!

eurochick · 29/05/2012 17:01

I think this is about getting the kids used to speaking in front of people. I don't think what they actually say matters much, so why not?

ChopstheScarletduck · 29/05/2012 17:03

Yep, let him go for it. He sounds fab!

Ds1 and his mate did their last talk on some video game thing. I helped them compile the PowerPoint for it (Just the technical side of it, not the content) most of it went right over my head. I agree it's about presentation skills, not the topic.

2shoes · 29/05/2012 17:03

what is NERF?

ChopstheScarletduck · 29/05/2012 17:04

Oh and Valium, my ds1 is 10 next month and now getting his first nerf! I don't think they do outgrow them too young

ChopstheScarletduck · 29/05/2012 17:04

2shoes, guns tht fire foam bullets or discs.

2shoes · 29/05/2012 17:05

thanks, my boy is all grown up.
I would let him

Sparklingbrook · 29/05/2012 17:06

My two DSs would think that was the coolest talk ever.

It's Nerftastic at our house most days.

stealthsquiggle · 29/05/2012 17:08

As long as he is exhibiting whatever they are supposed to have done (research, visual aids, structuring the talk, whatever) then the subject doesn't matter one bit - and, as you say, far better that he is doing something which he chose and is interested in than you forcing him to do something more "worthy".

valiumredhead · 29/05/2012 17:09

Ds did a presentation on Ray Charles when he was 6

Doesn't matter what it's on - it's to get then used to speaking in front of groups of people for when they become Prime minister

Sparklingbrook · 29/05/2012 17:10

Is he going to take the guns in to demonstrate and pass round?

valiumredhead · 29/05/2012 17:11

Oh and the different types of darts? We favour whistler darts in this house

ChopstheScarletduck · 29/05/2012 17:11

Can you imagine, every kid who doesn't already have one will be pestering their parents come tea time!

Sparklingbrook · 29/05/2012 17:12

YY to whistler darts, we have the Nerf Shelter too.

valiumredhead · 29/05/2012 17:13

I don't know what we have now, all ours have been 'modded' and sprayed black - they look alarmingly realistic!

Fizzylemonade · 29/05/2012 17:15

I was reluctant to buy DCs Nerf but then we did and me and DH ran round the house shooting the children like moving targets

Teaches them how to hide behind things, and run whilst we re-load

Anyhooo, yes I would let my son talk about them. We had to do something Olympic themed with DS2 who was 5 at the time, he talked about Sonic and the Olympic games on DS!

Sparklingbrook · 29/05/2012 17:19

NOT AT THE FACE!!!!

We have the Dart tag ones with vest and goggles. DH looks like Bono in the goggles.

NicNocJnr · 29/05/2012 17:20

Well DH and I are 28 so I don't know about growing out of it Still grandad has his own personal and personalised nerf gun so I reckon you've got a fair old while!

Original poster

shortofbread · 29/05/2012 20:51

Clear round!! Yay!!

Helped him put some facts together and he is really excited about it now. He asked could he take some of his collection in to show and added 'not LOADED obviously!!' Hee hee i love it, takes it so seriously!!

My DH and ds play nerf wars all the time! Nerftastic here too!

Thanks guys

OP posts:

Flip

1 2