AIBU to let my son skip this at school?

[Redcliff]

My DS is 10 and has been doing WW2 at school. Tomorrow the class are watching "boy in the striped pyjamas". We had to sign a consent slip last week and were happy to do so. Tonight he has been in tears saying he doesn't want to see it.

My DP has made some good points about how important a film it is but I hate to think of him so upset. AIBU to tell his teacher that he can sit it out?

Way too young.

We teach TBITSP in year seven English reading the book and the history dept do the history (obvs) I think it's fine at 11/12 because it's factual and an important part of history. I've never had a complaint yet or tears from a student that was more than just sad a bit and it's usually the girls and they then all hug each other (I cry every single time reading the book and watching the film). 10 is slightly young but taught in context I don't see a problem with it. By 5 I was reading much more inappropriate books like lord of the flies!

No way. Far too young for that film.

If you were reading LOTF at five I imagine most of it went over your head.

Sometimes, the age a child can actually be damaged or frightened or upset by something leans towards being older rather than younger.

At any rate, TBITSP is nothing to do with facts!

DS has studied the book in Year 6. He wanted to watch the film ( not being shown at school) and I said yes, but now he's read the ending he's changed his mind.

Support your DS if he doesn't want to see it.

Way to young Op
YANBU

I have a history degree, ww2 is my subject.

I turned the film off three quarters of the way through.

No way I would let my kids watch it until there were about 15.

(I haven't read the book)

I've never watched this xx

I don't think it's a film I'd choose to show to a child. I found it rather emotional.

From memory though it did sort of show things through the child's eyes. Thinking the camp was a farm. Because they were in the country. Innocent views of a child. (It's been a while since I watched the movie and read the book).

That said I got very upset at war horse (the movie). And that's a kids book.

Some people, including some teachers, are a bit thick and assume that anything about a child is suitable for children to watch or read.

Though the most harrowing experiences I've had are at auschwitz (bloody awful place but super interesting. Awful to think what people can do) and at the holocaust museum in Jerusalem when on a client visit last year.

Really caught me.

Rainbow just to be clear - you think this story is factual? Are you teaching students that?!

I loved The Silver Sword.
I don't think I am David is about the holocaust though is it?

There's a reason there are age ratings and I do think it's too young, important to know of the events historically but films like that stay with a child.

My boy scared himself shitless with a Batman story recently ffs, sleepless nights went on for over a week - it was the concept he just couldn't shake it off.

RainbowSocks, I'm another one astonished that you're teaching this book under the impression that it's 'factual'.

I teach R.S and history. I have done work with the HET. That film is NOT accurate and, in my opinion, lazy teaching. I totally agree that children need to be taught about the Holocaust, but this film is not helpful. Also, showing sensationalist or upsetting imagery is not the recommended way to approach the topic. I don't often feel strongly about school stuff, but I would remove my child from this and explain why.

I thought it was a dreadful film. There are lots of good films about WWII so don't know why they picked this one.

I thought I am David was a Communist camp? Doesn't he say the regime came to power in 1917? I have obviously completely misunderstood it if it is a Nazi concentration camp. Actually it is pretty vague about who "they" are. Mind you it is a long time since I read it.

I went on a trip to Krakow with the Holocaust Educational Trust - they do not approve of this film being used to teach children of any age about the Holocaust. It's a work of fiction. A bit like The Da Vinci Code being used to teach about Jesus.

I teach secondary RE and philosophy and and still very careful what media I use to teach the Holocaust. I wouldn't use a film with Y7 at all. The History dept use Schindlers List in Y9. Sounds to me like the teacher wants to show a film rather than teach and has had to cover their backs because of the 12 certificate. I wouldn't make him watch it.

Katurah, did you visit Schindler's factory when you went to Krakow? I found it quite positive after Auschwitz.

10 is too young to learn about gas chambers, and I also agree with those who don't think this particular film / story is very good. For a more accurate & age appropriate intro to anti-semitism by Nazis, I'd suggest you get your son the autobiography "When Hitler stole pink rabbit", which covers the gradually increasing persecution of Jews as seen by a German Jewish child. The author, Judith Kerr, (author of the Tiger who came to tea), tackles the subject really well, IMHO.

Granny - unfortunately it. We were in a bonkers day trip that involved a 5.30am flight with an 11.30pm return! We did Auschwitz and Birkenau and had some lessons from an amazing Rabbi. It was a pretty surreal experience to be honest!

*not!! Fingers are all over the place!!

Katurah, what a shame. We went for 5 days, it is a lovely city with an awful lot to see. Of course the Auschwitz Birkenau trip is upsetting but it seems a shame not to see the ghetto and Schindler's factory. I think you need another trip!

I think it's too young and if he doesn't want to see it I don't think it's essential at this stage. My son is Y6 and Goodnight Mr Tom is on his reading list (not class but extra reading)... I vetoed that as I thought it was too much.