To think 'show & tell' in year 4 is dire.

[civicxx]

My DD hasn't done 'show & tell' since year 1. DD is in year 4 now (new school) and has been asked to do show & tell on Friday, what on Earth is she meant to take in?!

When she was little she'd take in favourite teddy etc, favourite baby doll (that you could feed, cried etc) she's dumbfounded at what to take as am I. She said her class mates have brought teddies in but she doesn't want to do that as she felt it was babyish and the questions people asked were boring & I don't blame her!

Help!

Ahh I remember doing this in year four. I took in a collection of photos of all my rabbits and guineapigs, and started crying when I got to Fluffy who had recently gone to bunny heaven ❤️😁

DS is in year 4 and had a show and tell last week. Neither him or any of his friends took in a teddy as they see it as babyish (sadly! I loves teddies and still do.)

He plays football but unfortunately isn't very good poor lad, so no trophies/medals as of yet.

He loves swimming and slowly getting there. He was awarded a certificate as he finally overcame his fear and dived in. (Proud mummy moment). But felt too embarrassed to take that in as many other kids in the class are far ahead in swimming skills.

We collected lots of shells over the summer and together made a beautiful heart shaped work of art. It's really very lovely. But wouldn't take it in as it's heart shaped and that is embarrassing

Ended up taking in his chess board and bore the poor kids to tears explaining all the rules. It's a shame when kids refuse to take in things out of embarrassment that they are actually proud of out incase other kids laugh.

You are really rather judgy about the choices other children make about show and tell. If your daughter wants to bring in the certificate that is great but some others chose bears.

At that age ds2 took in his toddler brother

He also took some shells from Cape Town and the skin the snake shed for other show and tells

@Newerversion taking in a teddy I have no problem with in itself, atall, taking in special rocks, no problem either.

My point with the rocks/teddy's is that everyone seems to be doing the same 'bit if a cop out' I don't think many if any of these teddies had much of a backstory if any.

& I wanted something more interesting for her to take in.

If you are so worried that everyone else is doing the same, encourage your child to liven it up a bit with something more interesting. Just because the last 3 have been teddies, doesn't mean it has to be a teddy.

This is an opportunity for children to talk about an achievement or a passion, nothing lame about that, there's no age limit on it and getting comfortable talking in front of a group is a life skill best practices by talking about familiar topics. I don't see a reason to be snidey here, honestly, it's your job to encourage your child to do something she's inspired by.

I expect she was asked to write about Beveridge's 5 giants...

TBH, you sound quite hostile and judgy, 'not impressed' by the choices of other children? Perhaps have a think about how that comes across.

(They're called cue cards btw)

My DC are siminlar ages and LOVE show & tell which is done all the way up their school.

They often come home and tell me all about what they've learned from another child's object/talk. They got really interested in Venice and Venetian masks after a child brought hers in (mine have never been to Venice).

The youngest recently took in a tub of lots of autumn nature finds like conkers and shells, interesting autumn leaves, some hatched bird eggs and feathers etc.

The oldest recently took in a cerificate of participation in a sports competition.

They love choosing their object etc and thinking about what they're going to say.

I really don't think it is dire!

My dd is dyslexic and close to an asd diagnosis and hates speaking in front of the class. In year 2 we had tears and tantrums at the very thought of this and she grudgingly took in her ice skating certificates and hoped nobody asked questions. Now in year 5 thanks to a year 4 teacher who did a brilliant show and tell (sadly doesn't seem the case for your dd op) she takes in her certificates, some books and photos and spoke up about the Battle of Bosworth complete with props (follows in my footsteps!) and even spoke in assembly about how Tudor propaganda changed history. (Her last year teacher actually rang me after that to say she had a wee tear in her eye and was so proud of her) Next week apparently she wants to take in a sword shield and helmet and asked me deadly seriously could our goat pass for a horse, her teacher will be relieved I said no on all counts!

@Loyaultemelie mine is dyslexic too and the physicality of show n tell really suits their learning style. Not all school stuff should be written and presentations.

Hope it goes well, OP!

My son's year 4 class would love this. I've just asked what he would take and his suggestions were: Cubs badge book, a photo of our cat, a t.shirt he bought on holiday, a fossil, seashells, something he'd built from Lego, his Blue Peter badges, or a favourite book.

I’m a TA and I never realised until I started working how important show and tell is. Dc learn about reciprocity, sharing what’s important to them, others asking why it’s inportant. It can be something as insignificant as a piece of paper, but it’s amazing how they all participate. Some children may not be naturally inclined to speak up in class, but this gives them a chance too. 5 mins a couple of times a week, it is really great!