School break times when raining, is this normal ?

[likecherrycola]

Hi I am a long term lurker but never brave enough to post but need some opinions on this. My dd is in P1 and basically when it is wet or raining outside the children have to sit silently with the heads on their desks , this goes for break and lunch time. Is this normal ? it seems very ott to me , I thought maybe some colouring in etc would be more "normal". Would ibu to discuss with the teacher ? I know the other p1 class is the same so maybe its the whole school but it seems cruel especially since we live in scotland and it rains alot.

In every school I have ever worked in, wet play times were used for colouring, playing board games, reading, cards etc (KS2 ages 7-11) and in the younger classes (age 3-7) the children had free access to the classroom activities eg paint, sand etc. In fact, in early years classes (Nursery and Reception so age 3-5) there were no set playtimes as the whole curriculum is play based.

I would not be at all happy with the arrangement you are describing. It is neither developmentally appropriate nor kind.

Not normal at the school I work in.

If its only drizzly rain the the children stay outside with their coats on. Unfortunately, if their parents send them to school without coats, they get wet.

If its proper raining then the younger years go to the hall to watch a film, which isn't ideal because they do have to sit and be quiet when they really need to be running around, but there isn't really any alternative. The older year groups can play in their own classrooms, and they get board games out or just sit around chatting, but they are allowed to come and watch the film if they want to.

whaaaat? That is seriously weird. Is there a lack of available supervision?

I've never understood wet breaks personally. Children don't met. At our school kids put their waterproof trousers, tops and wellies on and play in the fields and woods as normal (they can be inside if they want to, whatever the weather). Only if it's torrential do we say they have to come inside and then it's videos in the library or games in the classroom not silence ffs.

YANBU, to have them sit and do nothing is a waste of time.

Colouring in, or reading silently for older children would be much more appropriate.

When I was at school we had a "wet break book" which was for exactly this. I live in London, so it doesn't rain as much, but I still managed to fill in half a book in a school year.

That sounds torturous tbh. How awful.

That seems very odd. Where are you getting the information from?

At our school we send them to the gym, undercroft, drama room, library or a few other places. We want them running around for that time to burn off energy!

Coming indoors if more than drizzle - normal.

Being expected to sit as you describe - not normal.

Ours would be expected to be in their classrooms, but would be drawing, reading, playing (not too exuberantly! - I think they have board games they bring out) and sometimes they put a DVD on.

Thanks for replying cashmiriana glad its not just me being pfb , it seems very extream no idea why they cant just let them colour in or draw , after lunch they can be sat there for over 30 minutes . Think I will ask teacher today what exatly they do, too make sure its not been exagerated alough 4 other parents have all been told the exact same thing.

Oh, come on, they do not! Who has told you this, have you followed it up?

That's just weird! Personally I'd love to sit with my head on a desk in silence, but I can't think of any children who would. Most schools get out the board games, lego, scrap paper and pens. Some might put on a DVD for a quiet life.

It's only appropriate for the odd occasion where you get contagious hysterical laughter or screaming, eg a wasp in the room or something really out of the normal run of the day and the children need a few minutes to calm down.

Glad my ds doesn't go to that school! They have a 'rainy day box' with colouring, books, dot to dots, stickers, cards etc in them.

When I taught year 1 I had ready made wet play tubs, with games scrap paper and the getting knackered pens and pencils in.

At lunchtime midday supervisors would let each class have 15 mins in the hall to run about. (Also allowing my time to get my afternoon stuff ready in peace!)

Seems an odd policy. Talk to teacher?!

WooWooOwl that sounds much better they take them in at the slightest hint of rain.

manicinsomniac good point about supervision that might explain things ,

frogspoon exactly I dont know why a piece of paper cant be given they could practice sentences etc.

YouTheCat it does I feel guilty for not believing her she hasnt wanted to go when its been raining but I though it was excuses,

MidniteScribbler information is from dd and her friends 2 in her class 2 in other p1 so maybe not most reliable but they are all adament , my friend also has older dd in p3 and she says her class do the same.

meditrina its a strange one im sure the school have there reasons just no idea what they could be , the school is very strict so far.

pippitysqueakity I know I found it very hard to believe but they are all so sure and tbh it doesnt suprise me the school is strange in alot of ways , they done nothing for halloween they seen to be too strict.

vestandknickers I would love to too a nice nap sounds great , should mention her class is p2/1 so alot of 4 5 and 6 years olds getting very bored.

lizzzyyliveson Totally agree if there was good reason fair enough but because its raining outside sounds pretty mad.

hippo123 I wish dd didnt right now there has been other issues too and so far since augut 5 children have left from her class alone .

Beccadugs thats sounds much more practical , 15 mins would atleast tire them out a bit, as sad as it sounds im a bit wary of talking to the teacher she is very intimidating our last convwrsation ended with her shouting at me in front of dd, dd was terriefied of going back , head teacher intervened and she has been nice since then.But think I will hae too will try round up the other concerned parents aswell.

Could they be playing the rainy day classic 'heads down, thumbs up' and not explained it properly?

It does seem very unfair. Playtime is so important for developing friendships as we'll as burning off steam, like others have said. I would definitely ask the teacher for more information.

It sounds seriously weird.

Check with the teacher that you have this correct (the word of 4 or 5 year old kids isn't always reliable, I know from experience), and question it.

Quiet reading, playing with suitable toys and/or colouring, drawing etc. would all be suitable activities for children on wet days. Not heads down on the table for ages. I can't see how that achieves anything to be honest.

If it does turn out to be true then unhappy parents should challenge it, as it is so bizarre.

dylanthedragon That was my intial thought some type of agme but they said they have to sit at there desks with heads down until the bell goes,

Also at lunchtime they have to sit beside there line partner so cant sit near their friends and no talking is allowed in lunch hall is this standard practice ?
that doesent bother me as much but still seems a bit much. I suppose thats not too bad unless its raining in which case they eat lunch in silence then sit in class in silence till the bell goes.

Just a thought. Is the teacher or perhaps the headteacher from some weird religious sect, or is the school run by one?

You say it is strange in many ways, if I understood correctly and it is almost the sort of bizarre behaviour I would expect to hear of in that sort of context.

It sounds as if someone there has some strange ideas and you may need to be aware.

Are you sure that's what goes on?

Topseyt I will defiently confirm it . They seem sure but they are still so young friends older dd is 7 so not much older but hopefully a bit more trustworthy and she has been complaining about it since she started ( she only started in august as they moved from another city). The lunch hall thing makes me believe it , the school just seem to be very stern and discourage any "fun".

Topseyt Its catholic so not sure if that counts ;) ( I am catholic so please no one take offence).

ReluctantBeing Cant be 100% sure until I confirm with teaher but I have no reason to doubt it , it would fit in with way they do everything else.

Sounds horrendous! Very hard to believe any school could practice this, no matter how strict.

I still say almost religious sect-like. I can be wrong though.

It would have questions in my mind, but then I am a suspicious old goat I guess.

ifyouwish dh was ery angry when he found out other parents at our friend halloween party where discussing it and its first we had heard the same from others we though dd was making it up.