Stripping down to pants and vest at school - strange??

[tex111]

I visited a preschool for DS yesterday and really loved it aside from one comment that's been playing on my mind. The children have various extra classes in the week and on Thursdays they have dance for which they strip down to their pants and vests. That just seemed odd to me. I don't think it really means anything but I'm not very comfortable with it.

Is this strange or am I just being silly? I could changed DS's days so that he has music rather than dance (and keeps his clothes on) but DH thinks I'm overreacting. I would really appreciate hearing your opinions.

was very common when i was a child
not as common now but still happebs

I would be totally fine about this.

At DS1's school, they have a separate uniform for dance and gym, which is just a big hassle.

What's your concern? Is it hygiene or modesty? They don't get sweaty or anything so changing would be a bit silly. Is it modesty? We always wore pants and vests at school until we were 11. Now THAT was bad... but at 3 or 4 personally I think it's fine.

Seems a bit old fashioned, but preusmably they have some children who come in slightly less suitable clothes? Certainly couldn't dream of the faff in gettig them to chnge into say shorts and T shirt. But my ds currently isn't wearing a vest these day?

I SHOULD say we wore pants and vests FOR P.E. at school. Obviously if that was our uniform it would be a bit odd, even for a catholic school...

Used to do this at primary if we forgot our PE kit. It wouldn't bother me.

My dd (in Reception) does PE in vest and pants. I think that if they had to get the whole class changed into a separate PE kit it'd take the whole lesson. It's just easier with these little ones. It doesn't bother me in the slightest.

At dd's prep school they used to wear green knickers and their vests (and like you I just thought it seemed a bit ugh!) Two years ago they changed the P.E. uniform to shorts and polo shirts but the girls prefer their green knickers!!

Thank you so much. That's very reassuring. I think it's just one of those cultural differences. I can't imagine a school in Texas doing this but then we can be ridiculously puritanical at times. Just hadn't come across it before and wasn't sure if it was just this school or what. Feel much more comfortable knowing it's not unusual and will keep DS in the dance classes. I'm sure he'll love it.

We did this at primary school, I was most upset when I discovered that it was not in fact the pe kit, I liked vests so much

tex111, I might CAT you about this one...I think I can guess its name! If it is where I think it is, olde-tyme values feature large in the school ethos and as vest and knicks for PE is very British 1950s this is probably where it comes from.
Ds' prep school stipulate attending on PE days in PE kit expressly to avoid the logistical nightmare of littlies losing their trousers, socks, and teachers and helpers losing the will to live...

We used to do gymnastics at my secondary school in our green school knickers and a polo shirt. It was a girls school though, and by the 2nd year (Yr 8?) we'd all badgered our parents into buying the 'optional' school tracksuit and did it in that. A few of the dedicated gymnasts wore leotards but tbh I'd rather wear a nice baggy shirt and my big green pants! I did used to cheat though, and wear a pair of ordinary ones underneath....

Marina, do CAT. This is all an education for me!

Up until age 13 we never even changed clothes for PE and shorts and bare shoulders weren't allowed from kindergarten, though I believe they've changed the rules now. You can imagine my surprise at the idea of pants and vests. Absolutely fine with me as long as it's not seen as strange in England. Just wanted to make sure I hadn't signed DS up for a school that was a bit odd.

Marina, just realised CAT isn't working for me. Some problems with my email address. You can contact me at [email protected].

I'm feeling all nostalgic now. I used to do PE and "Music and Movement" in my vest and pants when I was a child. Lots of dancing around in the school hall - can still smell the school dinners and feel the polished parquet on my bare feet! I think if DS's nursery school suggested a specific PE kit I'd be thinking "FFS, why can't they just do it in their vest and pants".

My mother was a primary teacher and she said it was always recommended from the overall vigilance point of view to get the children to strip to their undies regularly as it gave a fairly good view of bruises, undue fatness or thinness etc (not one-offs so much as a general pattern). BTW, that's why you always had to draw pictures of your house when you were small as well - Mum said that it was always entertaining when you had "this is where Mummy and Uncle Peter sleep", but what they are looking for is "this is where me and Uncle Peter sleep".

Have just mailed

One of the primary schools I went to used to have (get this) a large box full of thick cotton green pants and vests that we would go through when it was time for gym and select a set that was approximately the right size. I don't know how often they were washed but I would hazard a guess that it wasn't every day.....

lol batters - the poor dad.

I haven't 'heard' of it - or it least it doesn't happen in the primary school rounds here - but if it did I wouldn't be worried about it either.

Batters I am PMSL - I can see her doing it and imagine her Dad's face! Excellent!

Batters, was this the co-author of the Bumper Book of Bosoms by any chance?

Oh, I had forgotten the Bumper Book of Bosoms! Thank you for reminding me

That young lady will go far - in fact I bet they both will...