No TV before school?!

[Tireddadplus]

Hi! Just got a message from our DD’s (5yo) school that we should not let the kids watch any tv before school! Bad for their brains or something…

DD watches a bit of tv while myself or DW sort out lunches or whatever…just makes getting out the door easier!

Am i being unreasonable to ignore this advice?

No tv here either. I’m surprise anyone got time.
Between getting up, getting ourselves ready getting D ready, making sure morning wee and teeth are done etc. There is not much time to sit down. I do packed lunch night before so in the morning it’s just a case of getting it all out from the fridge 🤷🏼‍♀️

When they were younger they weren't allowed TV until they were ready for school, and I threaten it coming back if there's ever that rush to get PE kits etc. when we're already supposed to be out of the door.

Mind you, when I say TV, I actually mean ipad - the kids don't use the TV at all really except if we're watching something together.

The teachers saying they can tell are full of it. My kids watch ipad in the car on the way to school, so they've literally dropped it 30 seconds before they walk in, and they're both perfectly able to concentrate, do their homework and have high marks with no behaviour cards.

Our routine is kids get up at 7. Asthma pump for one dc followed by teeth, then down for breakfast while watching tv (probably 10 minutes) then upstairs, get dressed, do hair etc, kisses goodbye and bam!

bags packed night before and clothes ready, and no packed lunches here

Not that I’m aware of. We have it on in the background. Some days they barely watch it and move onto play, today my youngest watched it. We always get to school before the gates open and I make time to sit and have a coffee/chat with them both so we connect before school. My youngest is in reception and finding school tiring so I’m trying to be as low demand as possible around school.

We have loads of time in the mornings. Takes 5 minutes to dress and do teeth. They have two hours between waking and leaving.

Do whatever works for you - we don’t have tv before or after school as the kids always have after school clubs and homework. Mornings are a mad rush anyway so no tv. Sat - they do sports in the morning etc so really not much time to watch - one of them has stated watching strictly in the evening so that’s about it. Sunday is probably the only day they watch tv - it’s normally a film in the afternoon as they have matches in the morning etc. you’ll know best as their parent. The only thing our school asked is to monitor screen time and none before bed etc.

Everyone saying 'they can't tell you what to do!' No, they can't. Parents' relationship with school is collaborative. They can tell you what they'd like you to do and you can decide whether or not to do it. For some things there will be a consequence if you don't comply (eg attendance) but most things rely on goodwill. Surely this is obvious. I almost always try to do as the school asks (even if it seems silly) because I want to support them in their endeavour to educate my kids, but if I really can't get on board I just quietly don't do it.

Our school said they can instantly see which kids have watched tv before school

I've worked in schools for over a decade and I have no clue which children watch TV before school and which don't, so I suspect a lot of assumptions are being made.

Children who spend a lot of time gaming on the other hand, we know who they are because it's all they talk about, it features heavily in all of their games and drawings etc.

Either way, it's not our place as schools to dictate what people do and don't do in their own homes in the mornings. We can give advice but people don't have to take it, and personally I find it more effective to share evidence based information with parents about screen time and let them make their own informed decisions rather than saying "don't do XYZ". To be honest, when it comes to the things that go on in our pupils homes, a bit of TV in the mornings is a long way down my list of concerns.

@neverbeenskiing i find a common theme with schools communications is that it’s directed at an individual or a very small proportion and rather than address it directly they send communications out to the entire school. It’s so frustrating.

Mine watch a bit of kids TV in the morning.

We have a 1.3 mile walk to school though, so I think the 35 minute walk in the fresh air sort of resets this and they are in a good frame of mind for learning by the time we have arrived.

We used to do it, but after a few morning meltdowns, slow getting ready etc, we decided to try without it, and made sure to all eat breakfast at the dining table together (DH wfh and I sometimes wfh so it can be tempting to log straight into our laptops to get an early start) to connect as a family before starting our seperate days. And rhe impact has been huge, the whole family is calmer, communicates better, tea hers have commented on improvements in concentration. So this has now become a non negotiable for us - no screens before school and eat together. Same after school - no screens until homework completed and checked, and dinner at dining table as a family, rather than 'TV dinners'. I can only comment on our family, but if asked for advice I would absolutely say no screens before school.

That is frustrating. In my school if we have concerns about a child we will always approach parents directly about it. But if there is a widespread issue, common themes we've noticed across multiple classes or year groups, then sometimes it makes sense to put out a blanket message/email. We try very hard to ensure this doesn't come across as patronising or lecturing though. It's about asking parents to work with us in the best interests of their children, not telling them how to parent.

I agree. After being a news junkie my whole life, I am news avoidant now.

I can tolerate Scott Mills on radio 2. That’s about it.

Never had TV before school, and it has never been an issue. It is changing habits that causes stress, so there will be stress in the transition but I think it is worth following the school's advice. TV/screens encourage passivity (which might be great for you if you want them occupied) but not great for their brains or for the teachers who are then trying to engage them.

I have to detox from the news, it's depressing. It's a habit I need to break.

I think the school's view is valid, especially for those who don't walk to school. I agree also that also the parents who have 'zombie' children need something more, perhaps said at parents' evening.

Surely school only notice the kids for whom having tv before school is an issue. There will be plenty who can cope just fine, and therefore won’t be noticed.

Mine are
older
now but they used to watch CBeebies if and if they were ready to walk out of the door.

I never watched tv before school. In my first primary school I had a childminder and although they usually had the tv on, my brother and her son watched it, i preferred to do other things. I like to make things and she had lots of fimo and card and stuff, i also liked colouring. My second primary was the one my Mum taught at so we were always there early. At secondary school i didn't have time to watch tv, again my brother did, but i was too busy sorting out my own breakfast, packing my bag, washing, dressing etc.

I don’t allow tv before school. Puts DS in the wrong frame of mind for learning, and impossible to get him motivated to do teeth/ inhalers/ get shoes on, and always ends up with a row. I take the schools point tbh.

I can’t remember a time ever ( and my kids are secondary now) where we’ve put the tv on in the morning? It never would have even entered my mind to do so!!

I just can’t get too excited about this. No screens until they are fully dressed and ready to go, but if they have a few spare minutes I don’t mind really. It’s not like they go straight from screen to the class room. They have a 20 minute walk. I might feel differently if I was bundling them in the car for a 10 minute drive.

We have no tv or screens at all in the morning, never have. Your child can find something else to do can't they??

I'm pretty anti screen time but we do allow a screen while doing hair when everything is done. Walk to school and breakfast club gives plenty of time to switch back into school mode.

Yes you're being unreasonable (and stupid).

Why not give them a book, a task - anything but sticking them in front of a screen!!!