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?

@paintfairy

Whilst newsround might be age appropriate, I still think it should be up to parents what they show their child. I never watched such things at school? For me- the issue is that schools seem to be bringing children up and feeding them all sorts of bloody nonsense, with parents having no say so? I find that more of a concern than the problem being newsround specific. But yes definitely watch it, and then you'll have an idea of the info contained so that you can decide whether you were happy about it or not.

What “bloody nonsense” are schools teaching children ?? Newsround is a factual NEWS programme - it’s completely age appropriate OP and does a much better job of explaining complicated situations like this that I think I would be able to. My son really enjoys watching and and talks about it a lot a home.

Children will hear about the war anyway. Better that it is explained to them in child-friendly terms.

@crochetcrazy1978

I’m in my 40’s and remember being shown the film threads in the last year of primary school when there were big concerns about nuclear war. It was utterly grim, bleak and terrifying. I rewatched recently thinking it wouldn’t be so bad and it was. It’s actually rated 15 and was shown to most primary schools as a warning of how bad nuclear war could be. It would never be allowed now. Newsround is very age appropriate so I wouldnt worry

Yes I have rewatched on the internet some things shown to kids when I was young and I was shocked at how frightening they were. I remember being told about a famine in school at 5 years old and asking why if they were hungry they had such fat round bellies.

Didn't watch Threads in primary.

Did watch Walkabout when I was about 8 or 9, after our teacher read us the book. Not sure they would fly today.

And those public information films about all the way kids could die were very scary.
There seems to be an idea that kids in the past were not exposed to scary things when they had scary things made that were aimed at kids.

@C152

Yes, YABU, OP. 8 is old enough to be watching the news and for it to spark discussions at home. (Particularly when it's a news programme created specifically for children.)

We don't do our children any favours by sheltering them from the truth. It's our job to help educate them, including helping them to think for themselves; ask questions and take an interest in the wider world around them, and what shapes it. And not discussing the news at home - and complaining when they view/discuss the news in an age-appropriate way at school - doesn't mean they won't hear the very things you're afraid of. It just means they won't have a responsible adult around to correct any misunderstanding or discuss their fears with.

well done @OchreDandelion - I would be really pleased if I had a child in your class, and I am sorry you received a complaint for doing your job well.

Thank you. I have read the continuing responses. Many understand that discussing the news is an appropriate choice. None of those who do not want their children to be exposed to such stark news (I get it! It's horrible!!) have responded to my questions about how teachers are supposed to engage when faced with:

• children already talking about it
• children with relatives in Ukraine
• children with relatives in the military

I would love to hear what they feel would be appropriate in that scenario. It is not easy.

I notice one poster said that their head teacher has said there should be a full school response. I have actually asked my own head teacher for the same. But remember, please, that this attack has taken us by surprise in its extent so a lot of teachers have had to make choices based on the situation right in front of them before receiving that guidance.

That is my point that kids will be talking about this in the playground. So do you want your 8-year-old to learn about the war from other 8-year-olds, or from a trained teacher?

It's a news programme aimed at children. Of course it's fine for your 8 year old to watch it. Obviously, carry on assuring her she's safe and not going to get bombed etc.
That won't necessarily stop her being upset- it's upsetting news, there's only so much you can really sugarcoat that. But people, even children, are able to be upset about stuff without it being permanently damaging or traumatising.

Children should feel upset sometimes. It is a natural emotion.

Newsround is child friendly though.
Used to watch that when young, didn't know it was still going!
YABU

And this, as I posted on the thread that went pouf (as an aside, why does no one just flounce anymore? Why all the reporting and vanishing?), is one of the reasons we have so many anxious teenagers: parents telling them that x,y,z has made them so.

op as a parent it's entirely reasonable for you to want to protect your child.
I think your issue is more about "how do you stop/ reduce anxiety about a potentially worrying phenomenon" the answer is to be totally matter of fact. Explain the reason for the conflict, and leave it at that. If your dd then asks more questions, you again answer in a very matter of fact way e.g "mum will we be at war?"
"Well I can only tell you what I know and that at the moment there are some amazing people called diplomats, who are working very hard to secure a peaceful ending to the conflict. In the meantime, we carry on with our lives as normal. If and when we need to help others, then we will do what we can. But stop worrying for now and let's go for a walk/ have a drink / eat cake etc"
You keep all emotion out of your voice. You stay calm and keep it factual and use words your DD will understand.
Your DD doesn't want you to 'solve' this, but she does want security from you, and you will give her that by being honest and matter of fact. If she sees you getting on with your life she will do the same.
I know anxiety is an absolute bastard OP as my DH and my DC suffer from it, but that's also how I know your response is absolutely key in this...so err no pressure there then

Precious. Pretty sure this is why my colleagues and I keep wondering why so many kids we’ve taught have pretty much no resilience to adversity. Their parents try to shelter them from anything in life which is difficult, presumably now including newsround which is news aimed at children.

The attacks on the OP are absolutely disgusting. She is not remotely being 'precious', she is worried about her child who seems quite traumatised by what they saw on Newsround. She admits she hadn't heard about/watched the programme but what she did know is that her own child came home so upset by what she saw on the programme that she begged her mother to swear on her life they wouldn't be hit. Now think whatever snide, judgemental thoughts you want about the OP, but she is just a mother of a traumatised 8 year old little girl after some comfort and reassurance from here. So you nasty people calling her 'precious' for her response to her traumatised 8 year old little girl should give your head a wobble and stop being so cold and callous arseholes. How would any of you feel if you were upset because your child was upset (and no mother likes to see their child upset/traumatised) and someone accused you of being 'precious' and asked your age and making similar cold, cruel and ignorant comments. The OP does not deserve that. She is upset because her child is very unsettled by what she saw, an 8 year old girl. Have some human decency or don't respond!

@rhonyvsrhobh I've never seen the programme (I don't live in the UK) but the teachers should be mindful that this news could traumatise and deeply unsettle a child. I would have thought the programmes should have been paused while this is going on, because war is hard enough for our adults to get our heads and emotions around, let alone 8 year old children. Even if those not to pause the viewings, teachers/principal should have notified parents of what was in Newsround, how to talk to your children about it, to keep their eyes open for changes in the child's behaviour/personality ie new fears, clinginess etc. That this was thrown at children (no matter how well the show is suited for and created for children) with no warning from school to parents is most extraordinary at least imo and my experience.

OP I would raise this with the school, either via email or in person, somehow. They need a heads up that some children will be very disturbed and traumatised by the news, it needs to be handled sensitively and teachers need to keep this in mind before they press the tv remote on, even if they give a little talk to the class before and/or after the programme, to talk through their fears and for the teacher to put it in perspective.

It's basic safeguarding, and the school has failed to do that.

My daughter is in p4 and they watch newsround every day and did so last year too. It's at the end of the day so she often comes out and talks about what she's seen. My p2 class also watch it, after break, and we give time after to discuss what they've seen. Doesn't mean all the kids will though. Some will come to you later, others might save it til they get home although the vast majority probably forget about it as soon as we move on to the next task. It's upsetting news so it's an understandable emotion for OP's child to feel. Acknowledge that and reassure. Your dd having empathy and sadness is not a bad thing.

OP

I can totally get you are concerned with your DD.

I can also understand this from the teacher's perspective.

Some children will have seen the news, not necessarily Newsround, they may or may not understand it fully but they will discuss it in the playground, they will also ask the teacher questions.

Newsround has been around for as long as I can remember (I'm in my 50s and watched it as a child).

It is written to be understood by children, getting everyone to watch the same programme means all children get the same knowledge.

As a PP said, there will be some children with relatives in Ukraine.

Can you watch it? I'm fairly sure it will be on iplayer and then have a discussion with her?

@rhonyvsrhobh I've never seen the programme (I don't live in the UK) but the teachers should be mindful that this news could traumatise and deeply unsettle a child. I would have thought the programmes should have been paused while this is going on, because war is hard enough for our adults to get our heads and emotions around, let alone 8 year old children.

It is a children's news programme, aimed at children 6+ and gives more explanation of past events and the background to news stories.

I note that everyone is sayng that Newsround is meant for children. Well yes. Yes it is. But Eastenders, Coronation St & Emmerdale are also before the watershed, and my kids when young were banned from watching those. So much shouting & violence. I didn't want my kids to grow up thinking that was normal.
Wars aren't normal - yes, they happen, sadly, but kids nowadays have enough to stress about just with homework etc (never had any while I was at primary school & skipped home happily, looking forwards to the next day) testing, etc.. it's all too much, imo.
I feel that the number of kids needing help from CAMHS etc bears that out, plus the fallout from the pandemic etc.. I fear for our children, I really do. :-(
Sorry if I come over as 'precious'.

Before the watershed and actually created exclusively for children are 2 different things. The 6 o clock news is before the watershed too but is not intended for children. Newsround is a children's news show shown on a dedicated children's tv channel. Made with the sole purpose of broadcasting to children.

@liveforsummer I do take your point and WE know that, children do NOT!
However, found this if anyone wants to look at it..
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/13865002?fbclid=IwAR3vljq2Ni9Lf1GBKMT9t9O9HMP9eG61eYz1JSjS8Wcq7Y9Y59KKeawEAe8

My 8 Yr old is learning about ww2 in school. News is on in my house every morning and he was the one that made the comparison between Ukraine and invasion of Poland. He then asks lots of questions. I think it is healthy they know what is going on and it can be discussed. Yes you need to reassure they are safe but when other children are seeing it too I want my child to have the knowledge to know fact from fiction.

I talked about Russia invading ukraine with my 5 year old today so I think you are being precious really.

They are going to hear things at school and news round is designed to be age appropriate.

No, I don’t think YABU unreasonable at all. We turned the news off around a July 2020 when it was clear they all the covid crap was getting our then 10yo down and it’s not been back on since. When Newsround was suggested viewing during homeschooling and I overheard them talk about vaccinating kids I told my girls to turn it off and it’s never been on in the house since. It’s difficult to control what they show in the schools though; most are unaware of the BBC’s blatant bias and propaganda from 101 genders to constant fear-peddling. All you can do is provide some counter balance when they get home, or maybe ask the school that she sits it out because it’s making her anxious. The news, even newsround, is just constant fear-porn and grooming.

I can imagine children of Ukrainian and Russian parents residing in the UK watching the Newsround too. I am genuinely unsure if it's best for them to watch it together with the whole class.

@alltheapples there's a funny twitter account called 'ScarredForLife2' dedicated to the public information films of the 70's and 80's. They did more damage than the news ever did.

Yabu. My five year old has been watching the real news with us and we been carefully answering her questions.
She lit candle for those in Ukraine . Forgot about newsround...that's perfect for children. Is it on BBC still.