TV watching at school.

[AIN]

My DS has been in reception since September and it was the first day of a new term yesterday. At the beginning they watched a fair amount of tv. Ranging from postman pat, fireman Sam, finding nemo and more educational stuff like number jacks etc. This seemed to settle down and lots more tv (a film every afternoon ) during the last week before Xmas. It was the first day back yesterday and they were made to watch a film after lunch until home time (according to ds). He was put on the sad face a school because he kept trying to play while the film was on (he was sat next to a box of cars). I think this is really harsh and I would much rather they be playing than watching a film. I don't know whether to say anything?

[Baconyum]

Agree you need to speak to the teacher. Ask what's happening and respond from there. But I wouldn't consider wreck it Ralph or ninja turtles suitable for p1. It's unreasonable to expect children of that age to concentrate for that long and its a waste of teaching time. If this is happening regularly in your position I'd be furious.

[HanSolo]

I would be very unhappy about this tbh.

[AIN]

I haven't asked yet. I asked other parents, one confirmed they watch a bit every day but she doesn't see this as excessive. Another parent said their child hadn't mentioned it. I didn't want to ask around as its not nice to be moaning in the playground.

[Becles]

So what did the teacher say when you spoke about this yesterday or today?

[Becles]

Parental permission is not needed from parents to watch a PGfilm in school. Teachers are legally in loco parentis during school hours and can choose to exercise this right.

Some schools will ask for permission but normally it's because the SLT have been bruised and cba to deal with stroppy parents.

[mmgirish]

That's crazy! I'm a teacher and would definitely be reprimanded for this. Find out what's happening. If it's true than it is bad on many levels: laziness on behalf of teacher, inappropriate programme (ninja turtles) etc

[BlueSmarties76]

Sorry OP, sounds like a crap school! I don't see how watching an entire film in Reception can ever be appropriate unless it's the last day of term / school party.

[CaptainMerryWeather]

You could also ask to look at their weekly timetable and see what a typical week looks like - ie where TV time is (or is not) scheduled in.

DS's classes all the way through school so far have always watched Newsround and discussed afterwards and films leading up to end of terms, sometimes during wet playtimes too.

[Believeitornot]

You can ask straight. E.g "ds mentioned that they watch tv, can you tell me a bit more please?"

I would instead of getting wound up about it.

[GloriaSmellens]

Permission is needed from parents to watch a PG film by the way.

[GloriaSmellens]

Is this for real? In the first week back at school (which for most schools is the 'right, no more Xmas arsing around, its time to get serious'!) the teachers showed a PG film to Reception and discouraged a child from playing during it?

[Sofiria]

I don't want to give too much identifying detail but I once worked in a school-attached nursery where the 3-4 year olds were sat down daily to watch YouTube videos for an hour at a time, so that a minimal number of staff could mind them while others got on with other things. They were told off if they got up or chatted too much.

I complained about this but didn't have the seniority to do anything about it and it was among my reasons for leaving.

The videos were educational, if we use a broad definition, but it was the same ones every day and with no follow-up teaching, etc.

[Jesabel]

There is sooooo much curriculum to get through, my experience in Reception is that it is a struggle to cover everything you have to in the time you have and still fit in some art, music, knowledge of the world, Christmas play etc etc. I can't imagine any Reception teacher choosing to waste lesson time when there is so much pressure on them for results!

[JolieColombe]

Something else to maybe bear in mind - Wreck It Ralph is a PG. Are teachers allowed to show films above a U without asking permission from parents? (Genuine question, DD1 is still in nursery so not aware of the rules for these things.)

[witsender]

That's wierd. No TV in reception at all here, and only on odd occasion if weather is truly awful now in yr 1.

[inlovewithhubby]

To clarify they still watched the odd you tube clip linked to topics or old nativity video (to prepare for theirs) but zero 'babysitting' tv of a non educational nature. Even something potentially educational, like Numberjacks, isn't appropriate for school unless the teacher is sitting with the class watching it and extracting learning points from it to share with the pupils at the end. Otherwise it's just TV, pure and simple. And lazy.

[inlovewithhubby]

Op I was dead straight but polite. I asked for a meeting and just said 'DC says she is watching tv in school, can you explain?'. Teacher did, I didn't accept it, and so I took it to the head. Head then instituted ban. Teacher was very professional to their credit. To be honest, once the head got involved, it's impossible to defend professionally so your child's teacher is likely to be too embarrassed to risk being anything other than incredibly polite to you in future. I was worried about potential effect on my child, but there was none and will never be with a true professional.

Be strong, trust your judgement, you are in the right. If no luck with teacher, go to head and then governors. any half decent governing body would be appalled and the head will want to keep it out of a board meeting. And keep us posted!

[Squiff85]

Mine watch tv sometimes when its wet play/lunch - could it be that?

[AIN]

Ok, how to ask without accusing the teacher of being lazy. I'm sure there's probably a reason and don't want to come across as rude!

[reni2]

Are you sure it wasn't number bonds using Ninja turtles? Two Nija turtles add three Ninja turtles... mine would have taken this as tv and not realised it was maths at that age

[thisismypassword]

I'm a teacher and I use YouTube videos and the like to emphasise aspects of culture that I'm teaching (secondary languages) and it's really great to supplements my lessons. However it sounds like your son's teacher is a lazy arsehole. You need to get to the bottom of this. None of those films are educationally valuable.

[hollieberrie]

Agree Euphemia, TV watching nearly always ends in upset as concentration wanes, some children start chatting and fidgeting, then others that are trying to watch get cross with them etc. We had a film on the last day before Xmas (the children's choice) and after about 30 mins i ended up taking over half the class outside for a run around and some games instead.

OP - our HT would go spare if we were showing tv every day (wet play might be the only exception, but even then its normally games, reading etc). Could your DS be getting muddled? Although doesnt sound like it. Definitely clarify with the teacher.

[youngestisapsycho]

Our school would not use TV for wet play. All classrooms have board games and activities that the children are encouraged to play.

[inlovewithhubby]

So if it's raining, all educational bets are off? Socialising with peers is no longer relevant? Even at playtime, there are a million other things to be done before switching on the bloody box. It's becoming all too common in schools, and in our world where the TV drones on as background noise in the majority of homes, it seems normal. It's not. It's unacceptable. Without challenge it will continue. Challenge away OP! You may be surprised at how easily they find alternative arrangements, for both education time and wet play or down time.