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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is inappropriate to show to a class of 7 year olds?

52 replies

Summeriscomin · 01/02/2019 18:23

m.youtube.com/watch?v=3fzpTNrFFPk

My son has been talking about this since I collected him from school. He’s got quieter and quieter and is now scared to be left alone as he’s scared about this dragon. He genuinely believes it’s real no matter how many times I tell him otherwise.

He described the video older and I found it and can see why a 7 year old would believe it. Apparently the teacher announced it as breaking news.

Aibu or is it unreasonable? Or is my son too sensitive/gullible?

OP posts:
autumnkate · 01/02/2019 19:17

It isn’t remotely inappropriate

RitaConnors · 01/02/2019 19:21

You could start reading ‘how to train your dragon ‘ as a bedtime story. Or watch it on iplayer. Dragons aren’t scary.

5SleepingLions · 01/02/2019 19:26

I've just showed my 6 year old Ds the video he looked at me rolled his eyes and said that's fake mum.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 01/02/2019 19:28

My nephew would be delighted if dragons were real.
On an another note can you imagine how cute a well hard angry baby dragon would be Grin

birdiewoof · 01/02/2019 19:34

All of you who are “amazed” he thinks it’s real, what’s your point? Do you think the OP is lying? All children are different... some more sensitive than others

rainbowunicorn · 01/02/2019 19:37

There really is nothing inappropriate in the video clip for a 7 year old. I have worked with children for many years and honestly can't imagine any of them thinking this was real. To be honest it looks like it is a video made by 7 year olds.

Firestars · 01/02/2019 19:57

I showed it to ds who's just five. He's now bawling his eyes out because I told him it's not real. Fml.

CottonSock · 01/02/2019 20:00

Let him watch zog..I doubt my 2 or.5 year old wpuld have any issue with your link, but I'm interested to find out

Pixilicious · 01/02/2019 20:03

I showed it to my 7yo and she said that it doesn’t look real but of course she would believe it if a teacher told her because they don’t lie.

Barbie222 · 01/02/2019 20:12

In the nicest possible way, it's time to build his resilience. Model how to spot the fakery and explicitly point it out with a giggle. Don't let him carry on being nervous and edgy because it keeps him little in your eyes.

Summeriscomin · 01/02/2019 20:14

He definitely believes it. He won’t leave my side. At first I was irritated especially after this thread but then I think if a teacher shows him it then that adds to the chances of him believing it.

He believes in Santa and most 7. Year olds do. So I can’t blame him for believing it.

He’s also becoming more aware of how scary the world can be, by watching the news. So when he hears a news report albeit fake, then you can imagine his real fear.

OP posts:
NotANotMan · 01/02/2019 20:17

Should the teacher avoid showing the class make believe things because your child is more gullible than the average 7 year old? Surely not?

EyesUnderARock · 01/02/2019 20:18

It’s a very common tool to use something as simple and fake as this in KS1 to stimulate writing. Hundreds of schools set up scenarios, from giant footprints in reception and porridge crime scenes to flying dragons or mysterious egg shells that appear to have hatched.
I’m sorry your son is anxious and sensitive, but he is very likely to be the exception and the others will have been enthused and motivated.
Talk to the teacher, but also see if the school has a designated person for emotional well-being and support who can help your DS.

edwinbear · 01/02/2019 20:19

DD also 7 just watched this. I asked her if she thought it was real and she rolled her eyes at me and said “of course not, dragons aren’t real”. She still believes in Santa, because obviously he is real Smile

Millie2013 · 01/02/2019 20:20

I just showed it to my 5yo, she said “caught is spelt wrong”. Completely missed the point 😂

BarbarianMum · 01/02/2019 20:20

I dont see why beliebing that is real is any more "gullible" than believing in Father Christmas, which lots of 7 year olds do. In fact, dragons make a lot more sense.

EyesUnderARock · 01/02/2019 20:20

Is he Y2 or Y3?

EyesUnderARock · 01/02/2019 20:24

Has he always been anxious, or is it a recent development? I’d be surprised if he hadn’t encountered fictional stunning starts before.

PerfectlyPetty · 01/02/2019 20:24

Sorry op but there’s nothing inappropriate about that for a four year old, never mind seven.

EyesUnderARock · 01/02/2019 20:26

Nothing scary for the average child, but it doesn’t sound as if that’s what the OP is dealing with.

smurfy2015 · 01/02/2019 20:27

I was your son, slightly older at 11 and the first time I watched a film that wasnt live on telly was "Never Ending Story" a PG film

We borrowed it on video and all the neighbours piled in to watch it (we hired a VHS recorder) and charged neighbours and friends for "cinema" space - 10p a child, 20p adult per film, drinks provided (fizzy drinks), - bought in quantity from cash and carry and stored in shed, bring a mug with you would cost 5p per mug so the living room was always packed, people on the floor bring your own cushion/deckchair,

Before anyone berates my family for charging, it was way cheaper for all than one cinema ticket and it covered the costs incurred (rentals, tape rentals,

Anyhow the afternoon show was the very first one aimed for the younger ones, I didn't sleep well for over a week, due to fears about the dragon. I haven't dared to watch it since.

Another night my mum woke to a lot of shoving and tussling from my room - we had watched The Golden Child - that night, my friend was staying over and we were both terrified that the devil was coming to get us so moved the bed up against the door. Sealed over the keyhole and had moved wardrobe in front of the window.

Keep reassuring him no matter how long it may take.

Also v briefly, I recall the time that my mum picked up the tape in the rental shop, sadly the cassette inside didn't match the cover and no-one noticed until it was starting.

It was very quickly grabbed and removed from the player when we as kids were sitting waiting to see Who Framed Roger Rabbit - lets just say the cassette contained a lot of rodgering and definitely not suitable for kids.

IceRebel · 01/02/2019 20:30

Your opening post asked

Aibu or is it unreasonable? Or is my son too sensitive/gullible?

Lots of people have responded saying he's too gullible, and perhaps you need to work with him to build resilience and show him that these things are make believe. No need to be irritated, the video was appropriate, if not slightly too childish for his age. However, he's more sensitive than the majority, so you need to be the one to work with him on this and just explain that it's pretend. Smile

Aeroflotgirl · 01/02/2019 20:31

My goodness he only 7, I bet iwou!d have believed it at that age, especially coming from a teacher. All kids are different

cariadlet · 01/02/2019 20:40

I've used that clip (and 2 linked clips) a few times in a Year 1 class (5 and 6 year olds) as part of a Dragon topic. It was used to stimulate story writing. They were convinced it was real and most were pretty excited. I've never had a child or parent who told me that they found it upsetting or scary.

heavenlypink · 01/02/2019 20:41

@pootleposeyperkin I agreeConfused
My sister was afraid of the daleks ..... it was The Boy from Space that freaked me out!!! At the mere mention of this programme the theme tune fills my head over 35 years on

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