Doing P.E. In just knickers?

[Radley]

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)

The alternative is wearing shorts under there PE kit.

I remember the embarrassment we felt when we had to wear our (substantial!) green PE knickers and tucked in Aertex shirts for Music and Movement- in the first AND second year at a girls' grammar in 1973! We had a lot of young male teachers whom we had begun to fancy. I believe it was called 'character building' but I must say I look back on it now and laugh BUT seriously, I do believe girls of around 7 are becoming quite conscious of their bodies and seeing that by that age they're perfectly capable of changing themselves for PE, I think they should. As for the younger kids I don't have a problem with underwear as PE kit though they wear shorts and T shirts at my sons' school. It takes them FOREVER to get changed, mind, but the teachers see this as a step towards independence which is fair enough.

We had to wear PE knickers for all of secondary school for gym and sometimes athletics too. But then that is what actual gymasts and athletes wear. Except the athletes are even more skimpy these days.

I can't see anything wrong with reception children wearing them. Speaking from the experience of having to change 30 reception by myself 3 times a week. Thank god they didn't have ties. Shirt buttons, tights and laces were bad enough. State schools do not have the extra staff to supervise segregated sex changing and most schools do not not have space for separate changing areas.

I'm quite free about nudity so it wouldn't be an issue for me but doesn't she have a PE kit or something? My brother in the 1970s his school had swimming without trunks.... school tradition then - Newcastle royal grammar.

The school I teach in is in an area of poverty we don't have PE kit rule because it was once felt it would put an added burden on parents. So many children do PE in pants and vests / polo shirts. We encourage parents to sen in any shorts and tshirt. Speak to the teacher and say that you want DD to change into PEkit for PE and not to do it in her underwear. Some children see their friends just in their underwear and want to do the same but if they have a PE kit I always get them to change.

It seems to be about Year 5 that the girls at our school start doing the 'knicker trick' when changing for swimming - putting their swimsuit on over their knickers & getting them out from from under. Not sure if it's self-consciousness (they only change with other girls) or just that they think it's clever. Of course, every summer we get at least one who forgets to take them off.....

Twig has expressed much more elegantly what I was trying to get across about self aware 5yos. I am glad my 5yo tonight happly jumped in the bath with his sister and his cousin.

Also I don't get this wearing shorts under uniform thing. The above mentioned 5yo would have a major strop if I suggested that. How can wearing pants, shorts and trousers all day be comfortable? Besides DS would get all sweaty.

Ha ha - this thread is hilarious! Given me a good old laugh at the end of a crappy day of work.

The world has properly gone mad.

I'm with Twig (again) - not an issue.

oh tosh and phooey - 4 and 5 year olds are not embarrassed to wear their vest and pants and it saves the poor teacher hours of back to front T shirts and mixed up shorts.

Friend's ds in reception disappeared when changing for PE. The teacher found him playing happily in the sand pit.. stark naked!! He told her he was at the beach.

oh my god - I am horrified.
My DS2 starts school in January and the thought of him running round in his pants is horrible.
I feel humiliated for him and it hasn't even happened.
I will be checking that this doesn't happen in the school he is going to.
My son is quite capable of putting on a pair of shorts and I will insist that he does.
I would never want my son to do PE in just his pants (or pants and vest) NO NO NO!!!!!!!

Xenia - is that still the case - we play them at rugger - must ask when i'm up there next.

This thread is very

I'm really sorry that lots of you think that your child wearing underwear should cause them humiliation and shame and is "horrifying". I cannot imagine what sort of ideas you have about children being preyed on or sexualised, but it is really tragic.

The only humiliation and shame on this thread should be from those people who buy the sort of paedophile-obsessed media that is obviously brainwashing you into thinking that your children are constantly AT RISK FROM SEX AND PERVERTS

Dont feel . Its just two different opinions. Some people dont mind at all, and some feel uncomfortable with the thought of it. Thats just life. Everyones different. Theres no need to let this thread upset you.

Our reception year only changed their shoes to begin with but after a couple of weeks they started to change into t-shirt & shorts.

I would not be happy about 'just knickers' and if your DD is right about this, I'd tell the staff that it wasn't going to happen again.

Just seen Twigs post... HOT? In school? I've never been in a warm school hall in my entire life. Our school is freezing and they get them outdoors regardless of the weather too. In fact, Receptions PE kit has optional fleecy Jogging bottoms for those that actually turn blue. Saves on legal fees.

Yes, heaven forbid anyone should catch a glimpse of a 4 year old's bare legs, how provocotive. And of course, if your 4 year old has long hair, you have to make sure it's nipples are covered, because a 4 year old's nipples are definately something to be ashamed of.

In fact, ban pe altogether, make sure all the teachers are neutered, and fit catheters to your 4 year olds to make sure they never ever have to remove an item of clothing ever again. Don't forget to make an enormous scene over this, so that your 4 year old absorbs the idea, fully, that underwear is very shameful and must be hidden, and that nobody must ever ever look at you.

No one seems to be able to give a reason why they would be upset about their children doing PE in thier underwear?
I don't get it - what is the problem?
I think we ALL know that children of this age are NOT embarrased and are quite happy to run around nude given half the chance, so what is the issue?
Do these mothers also have a problem with swimming costumes or gymnastic leotards?

Quite amazed how judgemental some of you are. I was one of those who mentioned that dd (5) would not like to do PE in her knickers. This is just the way she is - naturally very shy. I have not taught her to be aware and ashamed of her body, neither am I paranoid about paedophiles.

I wouldn't mind her running around with nothing on, but her modesty comes from within herself.

Wallace, personally I was really wondering if there were reasons why the mothers felt "humilitaed" for their children.
If your daughter is naturally shy I can understand she would find it challenging, but she will need to wear a swimming costume for swimming etc so given a little encouragement surely she will get past her shyness. Especially if everyone is wearing the same thing?

sweetydarling- I wasn't referring to your comments , I would only be embarrassed for dd because I know she would find it embarrassing IYSWIM. She won't mind wearing a swimming costume, but she will try to change behind a towel. She will probably get more used to it as school goes on (she si only in P1).
At first I was worried that she would find it embarrasing changing for PE in class (just change from skirt/trousers into shorts, and keeps tshirt on) but she is okay about it because everyone else is doing it.

I can remember being examined by a female doctor aged 4 in just my knickers and I was sooooooo upset by it. I also hated changing rooms in shops and wouldn't use them. So doing PE in just my underwear would have been sheer torture for me. Don't ask me why I felt like that, as an adult I have always been comfortable with nudity, doctors, changing rooms etc.

I wouldn't be happy about dd1 doing PE in just her underwear, not because I see paedophiles around every corner but because she is learning socially correct behaviour. At home we have nudity, when friends visit we are comfortable with it but in public we cover up.

DD1 started reception this year and at first did PE in a pair of shorts and NO top, which I found even weirder than the pants and vest combo. I have now bought her a leotard, which is apparently the girls' garment of choice. Cannot imagine her doing PE in 'ordinary pants' i.e. pink frilly things with kittens on etc. although sturdy navy blues would be fine with me.

Wallace I think that is extremely unusual behaviour

The original poster said that her little girl had done pe in JUST her knickers, not with a vest.

nearlythree (I always think youa re called nearlyTHERE) - if EVERYONE is wearing pants and vest, then that IS socially correct behaviour. When you are swimming, everyone wears swimming costumes/bikinis, and that is socially correct. When she is showering with her peers, they will all be naked. It is all about context. There is nothing socially incorrect about doing PE in vest and pants.