School letting 8 year old watch newsround

[rhonyvsrhobh]

I think that it is important for children to know what is happening in the world - to an extent.

My 8 year old, primary 4 daughter came home today very upset and worried as she had seen on Newsround which is shown at her school that Russia have invaded Ukraine. She has asked me several times if we were going to get 'hit'. I have tried to reassure her that it won't happen (what else can I say) and not to worry. She then asked me to swear on her life that we won't be affected by it. I said I couldn't swear on her life but not to worry, it won't happen.

She is very anxious and I just don't think something so serious should have been shown to 8 year old children. I feel so sorry for them, they've had covid and now this!

AIBU to contact the school about this or am I being precious?

[Serrina]

@Aawrg your last comments have been deleted for some reason but my last 2 replies were in response to them.

[Serrina]

And by the way, I told my children Santa wasn't real from the beginning. I told them it was just a nice little story to teach us about kindness and to make Christmas more fun. Saves them a lot of disappointment when they learn that Santa isn't real, and that their parents lied to them. You're happy for your children to be taught that a bearded man they dont know, breaks and enters their home on Christmas eve to leave them presents? Can you not see how vulnerable that leaves them. And what happened to stranger danger eh? What happened to teaching children work ethics and that nothing comes for free?? Yeah, I can really see how a fantasy bearded man in a red suit bearing gifts can help with that (sarcasm)

[Serrina]

"Amberlin"??? I think you mean to say Ann Boleyn, you seem like you could do with a history lesson yourself. And where did they say she was Black? If you're referring to the drama depiction with Jodie Turner Smith, that was a drama depiction. Not a real life re-enactment. And there have been plenty of dramas and films where non white characters have been depicted by non white actors. You sound like one of those rabid right-wing types who starts frothing at the mouth when they see people of colour on TV, I bet you'll be a right laugh when the Christmas adverts come on, because God forbid black people actually celebrate Christmas! I'm surprised you haven't thrown out the word "woke" yet.
Do you think children in WW2 who had to be evacuated had the luxury of pretending there wasn't a war on?? Do children in Ukraine or Israel or Palestine have the luxury of pretending there's no war going on at the moment? Do you even realise how ignorant you sound???

[ThanksItHasPockets]

I made the mistake of attempting to engage with some of the more extreme voices on this thread first time around and I won't do that again, but I will say that I have been watching the Newsround coverage of the Israel - Gaza situation this week with my DC and have found it balanced and age-appropriate. They have also ensured a range of coverage with other topics so that it does not feel overwhelming.

I feel pretty fortunate to be able to draw on it as a resource, tbh. If you have fundamental issues with mainstream media then it won't change your mind but for the rest of us I am glad it is there.

[Serrina]

@EdithWeston

Newsround coverage is unlikely to scare KS2 DC, but if it is unsettling, then there are also help pages on what to do if the news upsets you.

How they are covering the Hamas attacks and Israeli retaliation is not graphic. Nor does it even mention religion (which at KS2 would be about the key points of each faith, not how they can be used in sectarian disputes/wars/atrocities) because you are right, certain aspects are best left until DC are older.

I don't think the other things you mention feature on Newsround

I do think learning about current events in an age appropriate way is a good thing. I've just looked at today's front page and it has a good mix of articles. (And it's the only place where I've seen a lead page article about the England women's football shirts selling out in one day).

Exactly 💯

[Serrina]

@Aawrg so by your reasoning, Year 6 children shouldn't learn about WW1 and WW2? Year 5 shouldn't learn about the Tudors and Henry VIII who beheaded his wives?? And what on earth have drag queens got to do with any of this, for your information I actually don't think this should be in primary schools, and this isn't even happening in the UK anyway, it's been at a handful of schools in the USA years ago and there was a huge backlash to it so its highly unlikely it will happen here.
Children need to learn what's happening in the world, if you think they don't pick up on things then you must be incredibly naive to say the least. Programmes like Newsround help them to learn in an age appropriate fashion. If you shelter them too much they won't learn vital life skills, and when the real world hits them later on they won't have a clue how to deal with it.

[EdithWeston]

Newsround coverage is unlikely to scare KS2 DC, but if it is unsettling, then there are also help pages on what to do if the news upsets you.

How they are covering the Hamas attacks and Israeli retaliation is not graphic. Nor does it even mention religion (which at KS2 would be about the key points of each faith, not how they can be used in sectarian disputes/wars/atrocities) because you are right, certain aspects are best left until DC are older.

I don't think the other things you mention feature on Newsround

I do think learning about current events in an age appropriate way is a good thing. I've just looked at today's front page and it has a good mix of articles. (And it's the only place where I've seen a lead page article about the England women's football shirts selling out in one day).

[Serrina]

@Aawrg so should we shelter children and not tell them the truth? They learn about WW1 and WW2 in Year 6, do you think that's all flowers and unicorns?? Children aren't stupid, they know what's going on in the world. And while I'm no fan of the BBC I think newsround does a great job at presenting current events in an age appropriate manner. I watched Newsround as a child and I never had nightmares from it. And yes, they do watch news and current events in high schools, I don't know what sort of school you went to.

[EdithWeston]

This is quite an old thread @Aawrg

Are you actually familiar with Newsround? It's really rather good.

You cannot insulate DC completely from what's happening in the news once they're at school, and Newsround is very good at explaining in age appropriate terms the big stories.

Their website is a great resource. The TV programme began in 1972, btw.

[liveforsummer]

I'm still unclear what your argument is. The thread is about watching newsround and I'd be surprised if a teacher is showing it and allowing no discussion after. Some dc (mine included) might take longer to process therefore not be ready to talk about it straight after and parents might then get it. Fine. Address that. The pp said her child's school did 'fuck all' I assume that includes not showing newsround , so I wasn't responding to or arguing with that. I'm sure some schools are doing fuck all That fact that particular poster is a teacher is irrelevant unless she's her own child's teacher or at her own child's school.

[Migrainesbythedozen]

Apparently, according to someone, you don't even know what is going on at your son's school @TheMoth .

[Migrainesbythedozen]

@liveforsummer

No I'm not saying any of that 😆 god sake. I said it's unlikely any teacher unless they are a very poor one, is showing newsround then nor slowing or addressing any concerns or discussion after. DC's interpretation of things can be very different- all teachers (and tbh parents) know this. Desperate? About what, a stranger on the internet with a bee in their bonnet?

Yes, you clearly are. 😆 You are invalidating what the OP's daughter has said, and what teachers on this very thread have said. You obviously have a bee in your bonnet and need to invalidate teachers and students to make some bizarre point. It is quite clear that the concerns are not being addressed by teachers, and if you had even bothered to read the thread, you would know that, and not need to be in denial.

[liveforsummer]

No I'm not saying any of that 😆 god sake. I said it's unlikely any teacher unless they are a very poor one, is showing newsround then nor slowing or addressing any concerns or discussion after. DC's interpretation of things can be very different- all teachers (and tbh parents) know this. Desperate? About what, a stranger on the internet with a bee in their bonnet?

[Migrainesbythedozen]

@liveforsummer

Actually having re read that the sons school didn't even show them newsround so your point is totally irrelevant

@liveforsummer 1. The teacher didn't say they didn't show it, just that they didn't discuss it. 2. Even if the school didn't show it, that backs up my point that there is no uniformity in how to approach this topic and that some schools are not even communicating on this issue at all.

[Migrainesbythedozen]

*teacher's son

[Migrainesbythedozen]

@liveforsummer

Yes she's a teacher but a teacher in another school or at least class presumably? As a teacher she'd know DC's account of things aren't always factual. I had a mum today furious because her dc had been forced to change an item of clothing for his school photo yesterday. The reality was his friend had changed it and he did the same when offered out of choice.

@liveforsummer So you are now saying that A) the OP's daughter is a liar, the teacher's daughter is a liar, and the teacher who works in the system and would have an idea of how the schools in her local area handle curriculum and other issues, also doesn't even know? Your desperation is obvious.

[liveforsummer]

Actually having re read that the sons school didn't even show them newsround so your point is totally irrelevant

[liveforsummer]

Yes she's a teacher but a teacher in another school or at least class presumably? As a teacher she'd know DC's account of things aren't always factual. I had a mum today furious because her dc had been forced to change an item of clothing for his school photo yesterday. The reality was his friend had changed it and he did the same when offered out of choice.

[Migrainesbythedozen]

@TheMoth

It was interesting today to see how kids were reacting. Those who were fairly clued up and up for sensible discussion. We did a blanket, factual talk with all groups in form time, to ensure all kids got the same information, regardless of what they already knew. Conversely, ds' school did fuck all, so it's a good job I'd already armed him against the bollocks no doubt spouted on the yard.

Those who had heard snippets or done some tiktok scrolling were the ones coming out with 'I this ww3?' And 'will I get called up?'

So yes, talk to your kids. Explain to them so they DON'T become hysterical.

@liveforsummer This post was only about 5 posts before your reply to me and you didn't read it.

[Migrainesbythedozen]

@liveforsummer

No I mean the parent who swears nothing was mentioned, after watching. But I think you knew that

@liveforsummer I didn't know that, I thought you meant the OP. The parent who said nothing happened is a TEACHER. I think she would know what happened better than your average parent.