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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To raise this? (school related)

10 replies

NoNegativity · 01/05/2020 17:02

Generally the activities have been fantastic, varied engaging and mostly appropriate to our situation. We’re in a very middle class area and have a number of keyworker parents in our class (In the class of 25 my DDs in I can think of 8 keyworker parents, 2 of whom are single parents).

The last few weeks the teachers have been running competitions. They are asking the DCs to do something or to collect something. Every child who takes part gets a behaviour point on Dojo and the winner gets a certificate and 3 points. By the time the schools reopen the child with the most points in the class will get a certificate in assembly.

I just think it’s unfair. Some of the keyworkers are nurses and Drs working in A+E or on Covid wards at the local hospital, there’s also a paramedic, a couple of supermarket workers etc. these children aren’t all in school, some of them are with local nurseries instead of at school, some of them are with older siblings, some with younger but technically illiterate grandparents. They have no chance or choice as to whether they take part so therefore can’t get any points let alone a certificate.

Then there’s situations like my DD. I’m on my own with her, and I am having to really force her to do just simple English and maths tasks let alone taking part in competitions. She’d absolutely love a certificate just to say “Well done for trying hard” or whatever, she’s below average in all areas and really struggling.

I am happy with the normal set tasks, most are a bit hard for DD but I can manage to get her to have ago.

I am not bashing the teacher for trying to bring a bit of fun into the lives of the children but I do think the points system and certificates for “winning” are a bit much.

The class is year 1 so 5 and 6 year olds.

AIBU to raise this with the teacher(s) involved?

YANBU to raise it
or
YABU to raise it

OP posts:
Intelinside57 · 01/05/2020 17:05

To be honest, if your DD needs to be forced to do her work then she isn't really trying hard is she? What do the competitions involve and how old are the children? In our school the competitions are all designed so that the children can complete them without input from the parents.

NoNegativity · 01/05/2020 17:08

What do the competitions involve and how old are the children?

They involve colllecting things on a walk or doing something like counting the number of steps you take between the living room and the bathroom.

Children are year 1 so 5 and 6 years old

OP posts:
Heartlake · 01/05/2020 17:09

Key worker parents say "i'm really sorry DD, we can't do that this time, mum/dad has to work and we just can't fit it in. We can't always do everything I'm afraid, remember, we're busy saving lives and you're actually helping us! !". Kids need to know that all families can't always do everything and that there are usually very good reasons for this. It's a shame but no-one is going to come to great harm because of it.

Twigletfairy · 01/05/2020 17:10

Why don't you make her a certificate that says well done for trying hard?

Heartlake · 01/05/2020 17:10

Oh yeah, don't raise it with the teacher. You/they have enough to worry about. It's just a way to pass the time.

Wheresthebiffer2 · 01/05/2020 17:15

It's not really up to you to vote on whether the competition tasks are suitable for the keyworker children. It's not relevant to you, and really none of your business. If those families have issues with it, they can contact the teacher themselves. Maybe they are enjoying the on-line resources. You don't know.

Your concern should mainly be for your own child. And those activities - collecting something on a walk, or counting steps, sound perfectly do-able by a 5or6yr old, though they would need someone to read the message/instruction to them.

ShineYourLight2 · 01/05/2020 17:19

Some children would really benefit from this as something to keep them focused. It's a harmless task which is different from their normal work. Be a shame that they couldn't do it because some people think everyone should "win" at something. If it bothers you so much, make a well done certificate for your daughter as someone else already suggested for the work she is doing.

GetUpAgain · 01/05/2020 17:21

Yanbu- I hate rewards pretty much based on the luck of the draw of what parents kids have.

NoNegativity · 01/05/2020 17:23

I have no problems with the actual tasks or compeititons they're appropriate for the age. What I have a problem with is making it a competition and awarding points and certificates when not every child will be able to take part when it's taking place so no opportunity to get the certificate or points.

OP posts:
Keepmeawayfromthecrisps · 01/05/2020 17:56

I actually agree with you op. No problem with tasks like this being set but don’t think there should be rewards as not everyone will be able to do it

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