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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think reception class should not have been shown How To Train Your Dragon?

84 replies

ForkieForkie · 18/04/2015 16:01

DS, in reception year, watched How to Train Your Dragon in school last term. He told us this when it came up recently.

I'm not bothered enough to make an issue of this but I wondered if anyone else had thoughts.

Its a PG film which BBFC would not consider universally suitable for under 8 year olds. I would usually refer to commonsensemedia website before showing DS anything we haven't already watched. I find their guides really helpful. They rate it as an age 7 film, giving what sound like good reasons.

I don't think a reception class should be shown a film other than "U" certificates, as the levels of emotionally maturity will vary so much.

AIBU and overprotective to consider this poor judgement by the school?

OP posts:
DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 19/04/2015 06:16

Shrek 1 was a bit intense for DD, then 5, because of the dragon. The real problem was her collecting earwax to make candles. Also when Shrek farts in the bath she shouted "eew, worse than you Daddy".

mugglingalong · 19/04/2015 07:16

I think that HTTYD1 is ok to show a reception child if you are the parent and you know the child. My 5yr old quite happily watches it and TV series, though finds HTTYD 2 a bit sad.

I would though be concerned about the president that it sets as PG is a wide group of films and some are much more realistic and scarier - would they show early Harry Potter/ Percy Jackson etc. which ds also enjoys but that's not my point I know 8yr olds who find them scary. It indicates that the school doesn't have a policy and then it is up to the judgement of the teacher each year.

You could maybe innocently check with the class teacher that you didn't get the permission slip for it, and highlight that as PG shouldn't they inform you.

Our school only shows PG to juniors and then with permission. For end of term treat they usually have two choices of film in different classrooms if one is PG then anyone who objects their children are directed into the U room.

They did show a PG to yr 5 of a book which they had studied in class and again we had the option to withdraw our 9/10 yr olds. I don't know whether anyone did.

ItsADinosaur · 19/04/2015 07:46

Wow, my 3 year old watched it and really enjoyed it.

phoenixrose314 · 19/04/2015 07:54

I am an Early Years teacher and we are not permitted to show a PG film without telling the parents we are going to show it, and give them the option of their child sitting out of the film. Last Christmas we wanted to treat the classes to a showing of "Frozen" and we just put a poster up saying if any parent wished their child to not see it, to speak to a member of staff.

Nobody came forward, we all watched it and had a jolly old time.

I would say something to the class teacher rather than the head, just asking if they had a policy about showing PG films to the children as you think some PG films are unsuitable (although definitely not the one in question, it's a wonderful film).

TaurielTest · 19/04/2015 08:04

I think a lot of posters are missing the point that different children find different films disturbing. One 4 year old being fine with it does not equal 30 x 4 year olds feeling the same way.
Also, there's a big difference between watching a DVD at home with your child, and being able to comfort them if there's a passing scary moment or to switch it off completely if they're not enjoying it, and a whole class being sat in front of something that might distress some of them.
I spoke to the FLO at our school after DS1 had been shown The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe in y1 (and was quite frightened by parts of it). Apparently they are supposed to have a U-only-unless-parental-permission policy throughout KS1, but it was not followed.
YANBU OP, and YWNBU to have a word with them about it about their policy.

RedButtonhole · 19/04/2015 08:10

I'd be really surprised to get a permission slip home for my child to watch a film.

DS is 5, he enjoys this particular film, I would expect the school to use common sense when choosing films and most of the animated ones in this sort of style are ok for 5yo imo.

ChocolateCherry · 19/04/2015 08:16

Agree with Puddock.

I've never really understood why films are watched in school anyway. Can't they just read them a story? Confused

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 19/04/2015 08:22

Sounds like the HTTYD films have nothing to do with the books they were supposed to be based on Sad

LindyHemming · 19/04/2015 08:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pipbin · 19/04/2015 08:33

I've never really understood why films are watched in school anyway. Can't they just read them a story?

Sometimes it's a treat or a reward for gaining class points during the term. It can be because they have been doing a project about that topic.

Addictedtocustardcreams · 19/04/2015 08:34

I would agree about the comments that not all children are the same. This is based on the fact that I am the biggest scaredy cat ever and still remember getting terrified by bambi when I was take to see that in the cinema. I had nightmares from watership down for years, and I saw that when I was 11. As an adult I have been very frightened by Harry Potter. I do not watch horror movies ever!

BeaufortBelle · 19/04/2015 08:48

The best memory I have from primary school, probably about Y3/4 is my class teacher reading us Beowulf (in language we could understand). That wouldn't be regarded as suitable in the context of ratings.

Neither of my children were concerned about any Harry Potter films or the Lord of the Rings which they watched from 5 onwards. My daugher was extremely upset by "Watership Down" in Year 5 (U rated).

I don't think the school has been unreasonable at all - it's a judgement call and there are more parents out there who use ill judgement regularly than there are teachers who very occasionally step on the line not over it and do no harm at all because of it.

The best we can do for our children is focus on the stuff that really matters - like poor teaching, bullying and dodgy values and the latter is extremely subjective (but I did raise a concern many years ago about the teacher who told a class of Year 6's that the law relating to some recreational drugs needed to be changed because they were harmless!)

Becles · 19/04/2015 08:58

*PG = Parental Guidance
*School / teachers = 'in loco parentis'

HSMMaCM · 19/04/2015 09:05

DD is a summer baby and at the end of summer term in yr 7 the English teacher wanted to show them a 12 film. She asked me to write my permission in DD"s planner. DD was the only one in the class who was not 12.

LindyHemming · 19/04/2015 09:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ForkieForkie · 19/04/2015 10:02

Of course parents care. Why would you think parents shouldn't care about what their child learns, reads, watches or eats etc?

You are right that teachers are in loco patentis and as such its disappointing when you see a failure to make decisions you think are obvious. I cant see how exercising common sense would lead to thinking all children can cope with the same films. I think because some films like Frozen, the HTTYD ones or Harrry Potter are good quality wise, and well recieved critically, people think that makes them suitable for any children.

Loco parentis for me means I let a lot ride and accept its good that there are other influences besides me in my sons life. But some things still grate, and occasionally will be worth objecting to (leading me to seek other opinions in this case).

I get that many parents are easy going about what their kids watch, everyone has different things they care about or are relaxed about, but surely we can expect educators to put some decent thought in to screen time.

And actually the experts in this area make it easy. I don't think its unreasonable to expect teachers/schools to be guided by at least the BBFC (or even the IMDB guide that was quoted earlier.)

OP posts:
littlehouseinthebigwoods · 19/04/2015 10:04

Yanbu! Yes, most 5 year olds might be ok with it. Mine wouldn't 've been and I know that so wouldn't show it to him. I would be really annoyed if the school made an assumption on my behalf.

Pg= parental guidance. I would want the opportunity to give my guidance!

goodnessgraciousgouda · 19/04/2015 10:04

I think it's genuinely depressing how uptight some parents can be about film certificates. Granted, no-one should let a 4 year old watch an 18, but a U versus a PG?

REALLY?

Do parents really have nothing better to worry about? There isn't even particular consistency amongst films.

Look at The Last Unicorn for example. It's a U certificate. It's also quite dark and has threats of violence, etc.

Hell, look at LABYRINTH!! Also a U certificate, and SUPER creepy in places.

Never ending story. Also a U. What child isn't devastated when Artax dies in the swamps of sadness?

All Dog's Go to Heaven? U certificate. Not only is the theme pretty tough for kids, but it's TRAGICALLY sad.

It's sad how mollycuddling films for kids are now.

Hulababy · 19/04/2015 10:11

At my school we wouldn't be allowed. It's a PG and at our infant school we can only show a U unless we get written permission off every parent in the class for the specific film.

I've had no issue letting my own dad watch a PG film from whatever age, but wouldn't ever show one at school without the express permission from each and every parent.

LaurieFairyCake · 19/04/2015 10:16

The point isn't whether individuals make decisions for their own children but whether you want or it's acceptable for people representing state institutions to do so.

I don't show children films outside the classification for two reasons. Firstly I'm a foster carer and it would be bad practise. Secondly I am happy to rely on the reviewers who classify them because of the risks possible to children from inappropriately aged imagery. I don't have the time or the inclination to assess every scene for affect on children. So
I'm grateful the Bbfc does it for me.

WomanScorned · 19/04/2015 10:17

Was it def. HTTYD 2, op?
I think the first one is a U.
Not sure about the TV series.

milkysmum · 19/04/2015 10:22

Dd is in year 1 but they always get consent for them to watch pg films- I have always said yes and both dd and ds age 3 have seen how to train a dragon- it is perfect suitable for little ones!

mamaduckbone · 19/04/2015 10:32

We have to ask for parental permission for any PG films even in y6, so YANBU to think they should have asked. However, both of my boys watched that film at around reception age and it was one of ds1's favourites so I wouldn't be too fussed.

CatsAreLikeChocolates · 19/04/2015 10:39

YABU and IMO totally over thinking this whole thing. I'm sure that in later life your PFB won't be scarred over having watched a children's film, for children, whilst he was a child. Confused

Although the bit when Bambi's mother got shot...

Biscuitsneeded · 19/04/2015 10:44

Elliot calling his bother Penis Breath in ET has tripped up more than one teacher before!!