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Original poster

Doing P.E. In just knickers?

260 replies

Radley · 10/11/2006 16:19

DD2 (4) came home and told me that she has done pe for the first time, in just her knickers.

Am I over reacting thinking that this is out of order?

Also, DD1 (7) came home and said that pe today had been running round the field etc in her normal uniform and her trainers, when she has got a tracksuit etc (this was asked for specifically a short while ago)

OP posts:
notagrannyyet · 10/11/2006 21:39

Not read all of this but I can't see what the problem is in 4/5 year olds being seen in vest & pants. In the infants all children get changed infront of each other and the teacher & TA.
We take our infants swimming every week and they change in communal changing rooms (one for boys & one for girls) again in front of teachers & TAs. Of necessity they are at some point in the proceedings not wearing any clothes. Would some parents object to this?

VanillaMilkshake · 10/11/2006 21:50

I am 31 and still recall doing PE in vest and knickers. Although I did have navy knicker - which are more substantial than todys Disney Princess/Barbie offerings etc.

Can also recall getting changed in the classroom.
Tthis has raised an interesting point for me as I am not sure how I would feel about it nowadays. Am going to friends with DC's in Reception class what happens at our local school.

Am surpirsed some PC brigade have not highlighted the issue yet TBH

Bozza · 10/11/2006 21:51

TBH I find it sad and a little alarming to hear of all these 4 and 5 yos who would be uncomfortable/embarassed to be running around in knickers and vest. Surely these are not the natural feelings of a young child?

DS is in Y1 and I would have no problem with him doing PE in his pants. He does not wear vests. It is as much as I can do to get him to wear a shirt and jumper, and carry his coat to school.

ernest · 10/11/2006 21:56

omg, being made to go swimming in your knickers aged 10 is pretty horrific. I mean, did you have to go commando for the rest of the day, I take it? Betcha didn't forget your cossie twice tho. Actually, come to think of it, ds said his friend a couple of weeks ago had to do his swimming lesson in his pants because forgot kit. (aged7) my little angel, bless, shared his towel (tried to hide my look of disgust and horror and prais ehis kindness, lol).

but tumbling about in a gym in your undies aged 4 is a different kettle of fish.

Gillian76 · 10/11/2006 21:59

WHY???

What's wrong with PE kit?

Is it just the getting changed thing that's the problem?

Really have never heard of it up here. I am 30 and we wore PE kit from day 1.

Bozza · 10/11/2006 22:05

AFAIK DS does PE in his kit. But I can't imagine he is the least bit inhibited when he is getting changed.

notagrannyyet · 10/11/2006 22:06

If 4/5 year olds are going to change for PE they are always going to need adult help. You can't just expect them to cope on their own.
It is of course different for junior children .I have visited many primary schools and I don't remember any that had proper changing facilities for PE even for older juniors. This IMO totally unsatisfactory.

ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands · 11/11/2006 14:38

Bloody hell.. I'm reading this thread and marvelling at some extremist views. It's a wonder some people ever let their kids out of their sight. Yes there are paedophiles... as there has always been actually, we are just more aware of the situation now.. but honestly, if you are going to constantly stress over such issues as someone seeing your child in their underwear (in a perfectly acceptable sitation - like getting changing for PE and doing PE I hasten to add), then sending them to school at all must be a big challenge! You HAVE to entrust your child into the care of others at some stage..

PMSL about children being humilated about being seen in vest and pants! Children are, by their very nature, uninhibited about such things.. unless they have been taught otherwise by a paranoid adult!. And it doesn't last long.. they soon learn to have issues and feel embarassed about all manner of things. Let them be kids.. how long can they have the freedom to run about in their underwear without it being inappropriate! Why feed them paranoia about something like this when they are just kids!?

And ROFPML about the health and safety aspect of not wearing a vest.. [

Flamesparrow · 11/11/2006 14:44

I was pmsl @ the health and safety too (DH thought I was back on hamster stew)

I am a bit that DD started pre-school last April though and I've only now thought to ask what she wears when she does "jumpin in Gran's work" (Mum works in the main school building ).

NotQuiteCockney · 11/11/2006 14:58

But ... what mixed message would kids get from running around in their pants? That the human body is natural and nothing to be ashamed of? God forbid!

Flamesparrow · 11/11/2006 15:02

Next thing you know they'll be wanting to eat thinking it will be healthy, and wanting cuddles under the impression that they feel nice....

Twiglett · 11/11/2006 15:08

if a 5 year old is embarrassed about being in their underwear then the parents really need to think hard about the way they are raising them to be so self-aware at so early an age

PE in knickers and vest .. tis hardly a crime now is it?

Twiglett · 11/11/2006 15:10

oh and DS's school is hot ... everywhere .. they strip down to t-shirts in classroom at the best of time .. why assume they'd be cold?

JoolsToo · 11/11/2006 15:12

we always did it in our navy blue knickers and vest and black plimsolls with that elastic bit in the front - aaaah happy days!

nutcracker · 11/11/2006 15:21

Mine both wear white t'shirt and blue shorts.

Can't say i'd be happy with just pants tbh. Pants and a vest maybe, so long as they weren't bothered themselves.

BIGlilBUBU · 11/11/2006 15:27

I wasnt 4 or 5 when I was made to do PE in my knickers. It was humiliating for me, however funny and hard to believe you may find that. I had to do it in my knickers because I forgot my kit, everyone else in my class was wearing clothes apart from me. Do you still find it so hard to see why that can be embbarrassing even for a child? And my mum certainly did not raise me to be self aware. Thats crap. You learn these things as you start to grow up.

NotQuiteCockney · 11/11/2006 15:30

I can see that doing it in just pants as punishment is humiliating - punishments generally are. But if they're all doing it in pants, then it's just normal, surely?

Lua · 11/11/2006 15:35

I just visited one of the primary schools we are condering and loads of kids were walking through the hall in their knickers (with a vest) to do PE.
I thought was strange, but having no experience decided was the norm? no?

BIGlilBUBU · 11/11/2006 15:43

Not so bad if the whole class does it no. I still think theres no harm in the kids putting shorts on under there school uniform on PE day. Best to keep everyone happy imo.

Lua · 11/11/2006 15:48

But in my naivite, I was thinking it was a good thing they they feel confortable that way.... I mean they are such young things! They shouldn't be ashamed of anything...
I guess is more about what the "seers" think... but does it really matter if someone is sick?

really asking, This is my eldest so I am struggling with being too paranois, or not being paranoid enough...

BIGlilBUBU · 11/11/2006 15:51

Well initially I was very against them doing PE in there undies. Now im thinking if there in reception and really dont care themselves then wheres the harm. But I still think on the other hand, they can just wear shorts under there uniform, makes no difference just keeps parents at ease.

SweetyDarling · 11/11/2006 16:05

Goodness! Without adults imposing their puritanical ideas, children of that age would be happy to run around naked if it were warm emnough!!
Do you want them to do swimming lessons in tracksuits as well? FGS let them be children while they still can!
Re 6YOs becoming more "aware" of thier bodies - I would suggest that this "awareness" probably extends to realising she can get her toes in her mouth and working out how to cross her eyes.

Daisybelle · 11/11/2006 16:31

I think that pe in underwear at rec level is fine. What is the alternative? Using apparatus in uniform - hugely dangerous. Or spending all afternoon changing. Not all 4yr olds can do zips and velcro, let alone buttons or ties! Or would you prefer a 2 teir system, those who can change are allowed to, those who can't, aren't. Talk about humilliating! And not all parents have the nouse to send ch in wearing 'easy' clothes on pe days! If you think that changing 30 4yr olds into and out of their pe kit is easy, try volunteering to help one day. And as for the teacher being male making a difference ... !

Blandmum · 11/11/2006 16:38

Mine have always worn PE kit, but I wouldn't be upset if they did pe in pants and vests. No different to wearing a swimsuit is it?

agree with those who say that getting 30 kids changed isn't an 'easy' job!

clubber · 11/11/2006 16:52

I don't think that kids in this day,should b doin PE in there underwear.I think that's wrong. You can get clothes that will allow a child as young as 4/5 to undo on there own, i know ma dd manages fine on PE days, n she is only 5. But One day my dd did come home in tell me that the boys in her class were laughin at her when she was changin,i told her to put her shorts on under her skirt so that they wouldn't see her pants, then take off her skirt.If kids are findin it hard to get changed then i don't see anything wrong with the teacher helpin out!!