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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To object to childrens paintings of Hitler being displayed in school?

164 replies

coribells · 29/09/2012 15:44

My DS is in year 6 . He will be studying WW 11 this year in History. Obviously a big part of that will be learning about the Nazis and Hitler.
Over the past couple of years ive noticed childrens work displayed in the entrance hall, and in the assembly hall. These have included quite a number of childrens paintings of Hitler and descriptions of his early life etc. My stomach turns whenever I see these displays, it almost looks like he is being glorified in some way.
I am of german descent and my kids father is Jewish. Am I being over sensitive. ? would be unreasonable to talk the teacher is about the manor in which they display pictures of Hitler?

OP posts:
Kalisi · 29/09/2012 15:46

Personally I think YAB a bit U. Hitler is a historical figure that the children are learning about. There is nothing to suggest he is being glorified in any way.

ObscuredByClouds · 29/09/2012 15:47

I'd feel the same and would be inclined to find out from the teacher why these paintings are being displayed and say why you think it's wrong.

WorraLiberty · 29/09/2012 15:48

My goodness YABVVU

Why shouldn't they learn about him and display pictures?

If your kid's father is Jewish I would have thought that's all the more reason for you wanting them to learn all this stuff.

TidyGOLDDancer · 29/09/2012 15:48

I think it's a bit odd, rather than anything else. I probably wouldn't say anything unless I felt a weird teacher was giving out incorrect historical information.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 29/09/2012 15:52

I dont really see why they need to paint pictures of Hitler.

Or display them.

Very strange.

frumpet · 29/09/2012 15:52

I think you are probably being over sensitive for obvious reasons Smile You cannot cover WW 11 and not mention Hitler in quite a bit of detail . I am suprised that they are doing this at 6 years old though , my children tend to do this in year 6.

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 29/09/2012 15:53

Would you rather we all forgot? Wiped him out of our children's memories? Or would you rather we taught them about him with ALL the possible mediums...including art.

frumpet · 29/09/2012 15:53

Ooops sorry just seen year 6 not 6 yrs old Doh!

cocolepew · 29/09/2012 15:53

I don't see why they need to paint pictures of Hitler Confused. Of course they will learn about him but that seems a bit strange.

Mrsjay · 29/09/2012 15:53

DD is in high school and did ww2 last year last parents evening there was swaztikas (spelling) pictures and also propaganda posters the children had made out side the clasrooms I do think yabu and really a bit sensitve, it isn't gloryfying Hitler imo and if your children are of jewish decent I do think it is important they know about him

frumpet · 29/09/2012 15:54

Are all the paintings of hitler ? or are some of churchill or other things to do with the war ?

cocolepew · 29/09/2012 15:54

I thought it was 6 year olds too Blush.

diddl · 29/09/2012 15:54

"it almost looks like he is being glorified in some way."

That´s the problem with it, isn´t it?

I learnt about many historical figures-didn´t paint any, though!

frumpet-he is yr6!

wannabedomesticgoddess · 29/09/2012 15:54

It needs to be taught. But why does what he looked like matter. I wouldnt want my DD spending her school day painting Hitler.

bureni · 29/09/2012 15:56

Nothing wrong with learning about history and the carnage that Hitler caused but 6 years old is far to young imo.

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 29/09/2012 15:56

For children who ecxell at art and those who enjoy it, it is very important to allow them to learn through it. Painting portraits of historical figures is fine imo.

GuybrushThreepwodWasHere · 29/09/2012 15:57

YABU

They can hardly gloss over Hitler when studying WWII!

Mrsjay · 29/09/2012 15:57

learning is visual as well so pictures put a face to the learning I think it depends how the pictures were displayed how the lesson was taught I can't see the teacher being all cheery smiley and saying guess what children today we are going to paint Hitler

Smeghead · 29/09/2012 15:59

The day we forget is the day it happens again.

YABVU, but I understand why you feel the way you do.

Viviennemary · 29/09/2012 15:59

YANBU. I think this is a bit odd. And I might think about complaining to the LA.

MissAnnersley · 29/09/2012 16:00

YANBU.

Photographs of Hitler were displayed in all schools in Germany during his 'reign' as Chancellor. Displaying paintings of him in a primary school in Britain shows deep insensitivity and a lack of common sense.

You can learn all you want about Hitler without displaying/painting his image.

DizzyHoneyBee · 29/09/2012 16:00

School like to link parts of the curriculum (OFSTED like it and it's good teaching IMO). It's common for children to learn about X in topic, write about X in literacy and draw pictures of X in art.

Mrsjay · 29/09/2012 16:01

YANBU. I think this is a bit odd. And I might think about complaining to the LA.

WHat would you complain about though ? i am not having a dig at you but what would you say

coribells · 29/09/2012 16:02

I want him to learn about WW11 and about Hitler and the Holocaust. Its hugely important, especially given both his parents backgrounds. Its the painting and then dispalying the pictures that is bothering me. I really dont think I want my son spending an hour or so of an art lesson painting a pictures of him.
All the paintings i saw in the display the other day were of Hitler- (this was lthe last year 6 display)

OP posts:
MissAnnersley · 29/09/2012 16:03

I would complain to the head teacher. It would offend me deeply to see paintings of a genocidal dictator in a primary school. I would feel quite comfortable stating that.

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