to think that it's inappropriate that DS is watching TV every day at school?

[Stuffedcrusty]

DS is in reception. I appreciate that many things have changed since I was at primary school several decades ago, but I'm surprised that they watch so much TV. They watch the Numtums every day. Even DS is bored of it - "we watched the Numtums AGAIN today mummy". They watched other things during the early weeks, which I thought was just part of an odd settling-in process, but now I'm getting a bit about daily cbeebies. It just seems like lazy teaching to me. AIBU? Is this "the norm" nowadays? I have nothing against TV/Cbeebies by the way especially as he watches enough of it at home anyway but surely there are better ways to teach numbers?

It's a five minute snapshot in the space of a very long school day. It reminds me of the parent that showed up to the parent/teacher interviews obviously ready for a fight. "Everyday I ask xxxxx what did he learn today, and everyday he says 'nothing, we just played all day'." I invited her to attend the classroom and watch what went on, and she finally realised that what he saw as 'play' was actually interactive learning experiences. Be very careful taking young children at their word when it comes to things like this. By all means, approach the teacher and ask to sit in on the classroom, or ask what they are working on in the classroom, or just have a chat. But make sure you get all of the facts first.

Ds says that he watches cbeebies if it is wet play with his snack. I don't mind that as it gives him and the teachers a break and demarcates his break time. It has rained a lot here recently so if that could be quite a few episodes. I guess it depends what the point of the episodes are. If it is to occupy wet play with other options available then fine. If it is one episode with discussion of the concepts after then I probably wouldn't mind too much but I would alert the teacher that he is getting bored. Lots of tv during lesson time would be concerning.

since my daughter started reception they have watched cbeebies most days but also Despicable me, the Lego movie and a few more Mickey Mouse films that she has told me about so god knows how many more I am annoyed about it but she is coming on really well with her reading and writing so that's the main thing I suppose

sorry to go off thread ( been a long time since my sons went to reception, so have no idea if they watched TV or not ) but does anyone remember the look and read TV that was on in the early seventies? There was one with an alien figure in complete tin foil that had a funny voice, scared the life out of me ( I was in year 3 juniors I think?) They would put the words up and highlight the phonics in red.. I think you should ask the teacher at parents night how long they watch it for, could be for just 5 minutes but for a young child might seem a lot longer maybe?? Hope you get a suitable answer!

Numtums is literally 5 minutes long and could not be any educational. "Watching tv every day at school" makes it sound like they are watching an hour of scooby doo or something.
These are very small children doing rather a long day, they need it to be broken up a bit.

*any more educational

It is probably the 5 minutes before lunch while the children are goingoout in groups washing their hands. In reception hand washing needs to be supervised so although tv may not be ideal it is a better use of time than all lining up to wash hands.

Numtums is a great programme for early maths skills and they have updated it to reflect the new curriculum and higher expectations. Have you actually sat and watched an episode of the new ones - they work with numbers up to 20, number bonds to 10, bigger and smaller etc. Lots of programmes I wouldn't want my 4 yr old watching at school but Numtums is a good educational resource IMO.

But I do agree I wouldn't want him watching it in every maths lesson as that is a bit lazy. Once to twice a week fine.

Numtums is all right, and Alphablocks would be fine, too.

However, if they EVER attempt the child-frenzy hell which is Justin's House, go in with a pitchfork.