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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that Disney Movies, Justin Bieber and Jessie J music are inappropriate for Reception class?

78 replies

cabbageandbeans · 29/06/2012 20:14

Yes, I know this might be better under education , I just couldn't decide. My daughter has watched quite a lot of TV over this year and I have always felt uncomfortable about it as there were some things which I wouldn't let her watch at home even though they are classified as children's TV. Then there was mention of Justin Bieber and Jessie J, which I assumed came from other children until I heard that a teacher had show them a video of Justin Bieber (not sure what this comprised of, but I think the teacher may have been to see him....so perhaps it was a live show). Then today they were singing both singers songs 'money' Jessie J and 'Baby' JB. I haven't said anything to the teachers and now it is nearly JULY! Am I too late? AM I being unreasonable? - is this normal? I don't let my children listen to pop music because I think they are too young and there is plenty of children's music for them to listen to for their age.

Please don't judge me. I think the teachers are doing a great job, this is just a personal choice of mine (not to let them listen to pop) and I am not sure if I even have the right to let the teaching staff know that I am not happy about it.

OP posts:
RubyFakeNails · 29/06/2012 21:23

I'm assuming she will be turning 4 by the start of the next school year in september.

The point I am making is the majority of children turn 6 in year 1. your daughter is in reception that is the next year. Its now nearly july, she will be in year 1 next year surely so she is about 6 months from being with children who are 6. The children in that thread have been introduced to the music prior to being 6 as it mentions. So what I'm saying is relevant YOU DON'T NEED TO CAPITALISE AT ME.

Also you are asking for opinions on this thread? This is am I being unreasonable, so if you are only interested in what you choose to do and what you think is appropriate why are you asking what other people think.

WilsonFrickett · 29/06/2012 21:23

This is a wind up, right?

RubyFakeNails · 29/06/2012 21:25

*turning 5

FoxyRoxy · 29/06/2012 21:26

YADBU as Rastamouse is fab.

Original poster
cabbageandbeans · 29/06/2012 21:26

germy thats what I am talking about! I want them to play and learn to be social. not watch movies or any tv crap. I would like to choose what tv crap they watch!

And I will have you know that I am extremely far away from boden - which IMO sounds a bit judgemental...? I have always listened to kiss/capital/Radio 1/magic/classic FM/Radio 6, gosh, I just switch channel whenever an ad comes on TBH and if I am in the car or house on my own I still listen to everything but my kids are young (4 & 3) and I want them to remain children (not mini adults) for as long as possible.

I disagree with you Trills U ratings are not always appropriate - we chose finding nemo recently for our family film and it was SO scary that we had to turn it off (I had seen it pre-children I had no recollection of it being scary but it was!). It is just NOT comparable to say.....tweenies, which also has a U rating.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 29/06/2012 21:27

I work in Y1. Our children learn pop songs as well as traditional ones. They are currently learning The Climb (Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana so Disney) to sing to the Y2s as they leave the school. They've sang other pop songs too over the year. They don't want a lot of TV but they have seen a video or two linked to the curriculum - Disney's Sleeping Beauty (I think?) when we did the traditional tales Y1 curriculum topic, and The Snowman as part of our Winter topic. They will have a movie afternoon at the end of the term - their choice. They will get the chance to watch one of three films in one of the three Y1 classrooms - will get cinema tickets, blacked out rooms, chairs, a twist of popcorn, etc.

At what age do you think children should be allowed to listen to pop songs? Do you not listen to the radio at all when they are around, or your own music?

LucieMay · 29/06/2012 21:28

I must be a terrible mother because my son listens to metal and rock I play at home! And he's only six!

Original poster
cabbageandbeans · 29/06/2012 21:32

I am sorry Ruby, I didn't mean to offend with my capital letters. What I am interested in is if this is appropriate for teachers to be introducing to my child. I understand that her friends may have been exposed to this at home and may sing it in class and teach my DD. But watching it on TV at school? Singing it as a group? Is this appropriate? Do all reception class teachers do this? Do all receptiona classes watch lots of TV? This is what I am looking for an opinion on AND (sorry about that) would (if anyone agrees with me) say anything about it?

OP posts:
Original poster
cabbageandbeans · 29/06/2012 21:32

Oh God, Lucie, you are not a terrible mother. this is not a judgement on mothers.

OP posts:
Feenie · 29/06/2012 21:33

You have curtailed her voewing so much that she is scared at Finding Nemo?

Wow.

germyrabbit · 29/06/2012 21:33

schools do (ime!) seem to use tv way too much, was surprised at how often ds would say they had watched films at the end of term, don't think my sons schools subjected them to much chart music though!

Feenie · 29/06/2012 21:33

viewing

germyrabbit · 29/06/2012 21:34

oh this thread will just turn arsey and personal imo

LucieMay · 29/06/2012 21:35

Ha ha it's okay! I've been playing stuff at home like Marilyn Manson and rage against the machine at home since he was in the womb so I do find it amusing that someone as tame as Justin bieber would cause offence!

pictish · 29/06/2012 21:36

Yes it doesn't do any harm and it it gets the kids to engage.
If it was ALL they did, then your concerns would be justified, but it isn't, so you should relax.
Tbh, with your big stance on TV, pop music and Disney and so on, you are possibly even setting your dd up to be out of touch with her peers, so if I were you, I'd let it slide.

Original poster
cabbageandbeans · 29/06/2012 21:38

Hulababy - thats sounds like less than my daughter. And relatively normal. Don't get me wrong. I have a disney CD and they listen to that (there is a high school musical song on it - so I go with the flow).

If I had to pick an age - it would be when they started to get bored of the kids music. I don't know when that will be. It is probably not pop music per se that I disagree with but perhaps stuff aimed at teenage girls.....

I would listen to my own music yes, occasionally. But I often wonder if in private institutions if they encourage crappy pop music aimed at teens to 4/5 year olds?

OP posts:
Hulababy · 29/06/2012 21:39

To be fair I know a fair few little ones are a bit scared of Finding Nemo - it's the first bit with the shark.

You say you don't want mini adults but tbh aren't you creating that anyway, but in a different way, by only letting them hear classical and radio 4? A mini clone of yourself perhaps, but dictating that they can only listen to x y and z, and not other forms of music? Chances are that your children will like very different music to you, and that their tastes will change over the years as they grow up. But by allowing them to experience a whole range of stuff (obviously npt talking about swearing and abusive stuff in songs) they can form their own preferences. And yes - even at 5 years old!

VickityBoo · 29/06/2012 21:40

At 6 I loved Bros et al

Hulababy · 29/06/2012 21:41

Private institutions - you mean private schools? Of so then yes - they definitely allow children access to such material. Infact at DD's school they have their own radio station within school and play music each break time and lunch. The older girls run it - they do the presenting and chose the track, blend the music, etc and it is played out through speakers into the playground for all ages to listen to - including the preschoolers if they are out.

mumblecrumble · 29/06/2012 21:41

We watched Grease during wet play times at primary school, like from aged 7.

Its DISGRACEFUL!!! Only realised when I watched as a teenager and was like, I can;t believe how grown up this is.

I was a brit disgruntalled at DD aged 3 listening to some 'current pop' stuff wlast year and I mentioned it to the mananger. I know her well and just mentioned that the 11-16 school i worked in wasn;t keen on me using that stuff in lessons (not the style, the particular songs as their content was very sexual - for example "I;m sexy and I know it etc" ) and i was worried DD might go round singing it. i also mentioned about them showing MTV in the foyer of the community centre where nursery, kids parties, clubs, brownies etc is.

Man i sound like a right fuddyy duddy.

Its just I really do think it affects kids and how they think they should act etc.

Finding Nemo - if you get into the head of a 4 year old that bit at the beginning where the eggs are eated is TERRIFYING, then the kid loses his Dad, sees sharks, blows up and nearly gets stuck in the tank fan thing - if you don't get the humous and the 'its not real' thing' it is scary. DD is nearly 5 and is only just startin to understand enough not to be scared.

I started wathcing High School Musical with DD - its very like Bollywood in that it is mainly dancing, less plot and they';re only allowed one kiss!

Shame about the god awful Jocks against Nerds agaisnt Cheerleaders though./..

mumblecrumble · 29/06/2012 21:42

[totally love Grease by the way....)

Hulababy · 29/06/2012 21:42

Justin Beiber music is not aimed at teenage girls by the way. It's aimed at Disney Channel type viewers - so infant school and lower junior age - not even the pre teen range, younger than that.

RubyFakeNails · 29/06/2012 21:43

Ok thats fine.

Well then my answer to your questions are:

But watching it on TV at school? Completely normal, the school educates about lots of different aspects, part of going to school involves learning about the world around you. Would you be happier if they were learning about music from history, realistically this is just the same thing.

Singing it as a group? Yes, it is the music they like. The children will be wanting to sing this.

Is this appropriate? Yes

Do all reception class teachers do this? Mostly

Do all receptiona classes watch lots of TV? Yes especially during wet weather, considering how the weather has been this year I'm not at all surprised she has watched tv. Although most of my DD2s viewing at school is done through the interactive whiteboard, and includes videos as part of their learning about most subjects.

This is what I am looking for an opinion on AND (sorry about that) would (if anyone agrees with me) say anything about it? No, I think its completely normal, acceptable and appropriate and therefore would not say anything.

I do think you may have sort of under-exposed your dd, I do think you are being a bit precious and therefore your dd isn't up to date with the norm for her age group.

VickityBoo · 29/06/2012 21:44

I'd hate for my daughter to not have an understand of popular culture and music. I am somewhat passionate when it comes to music though. I wouldn't be introducing her to Bieber but she knows the words to a lot of classic rock already (coming up to 4). Wink

Hulababy · 29/06/2012 21:45

Yes - Grease - not that one isn't suitable for the little ones really. Mind you, up to 4 or 5 they don't get any of it, probably older. Then they do and it is difficult territory. DD is 10y and saw a stage show (at my school) of it when about 3y but she just saw it as music. But then she didn't see the film again til last year - and then it was on holiday and very wet and only thing on English speaking TV, so I let her watch it. It was fine (ish) but potentially brings up some dodgy subjects!