Wet Play........

[cityroad]

My DD came home yesterday very upset as they had to stay indoors at lunchtime and watch Monsters Inc on the TV. She was scared (she's 4, in Reception) but said there wasn't anything else to do.

I'm amazed that they just bung children in front of TV when teachers are out of the way! I am a teacher at a junior school, and they play in their classrooms while Midday supervisors look after them.

When I spoke to the class teachers they said that there are 60 children & the hall is being used for lunches so there's nowhere else to go. They said if she's unhappy she just needs to speak to the supervisor in charge & she'll find her something to do.

I left the school fuming but am I being unreasonable?!! The school had an outstanding ofsted report, but I can't believe they knew about this! The government tell us to restrict our children's tv viewing, and to watch it with them etc... How does this help? Plus, peer pressure will take my dd into the room & keep her there while all her friends are enjoying themselves she'll feel silly saying she's scared!

Rant over!

Ready to speak to the head but am I over-reacting?!!!!

I'm not a fan of DVDs in lesson time either - my Y6 class watched the DVD of 'Holes' as an end-of-term activity having completed a massive unit of work on the book.

My Y4 class will be working right up until the end of term - I've promised them a Tudor day because we've been studying the Tudors and they're completely absorbed by the subject. That's it, no DVD gazing/toy days. My DH (a secondary teacher) cannot understand why so many so his colleagues show DVDs towards the end of term; it certainly does nothing to promote good behaviour/attendance. IMO, if schools expect parents to bring/send their children to school every day (and don't authorise absences for family holidays) then schools should also make sure that what happens during the school day is educational.

The only time DS came home telling me he has watched a video in reception was just before Xmas - Ice Age, could be linked to history but it was probably just a treat. I didn't like it much at the time but it hasn't happened again.

I would be having a word with the school if that was a regular thing.

Yes, some seconday schools are terrible last week of term, especially Xmas and summer term. I overheard DCs going from one lesson to the next discussing which films they watched, what they will watch next and which films they will be able to see the end of.

Quite right, God forbid that children should have a break from their work and have some chill out time to chat with their friends. Get them out in the rain, in lines, drill them in algebra .

Dd and ds used to watch Come Outside regurlalry at nursery. It was a bit of wind down time in the afternoon.

Very young children are often exhausted by school and I thoght it was a good idea to let them recharge their batteries whilst watching something educational.

If it is just on wet days and they dont have a facility to play out for the whole of wet breaks then whats the big deal?

If it was every day and optional I wouldnt be happy, but for occasional session I really wouldnt mind at all.

One question tho: "(& my DD turns rather zombie-like when she's watching the TV if no-one is talking her through it!!!!!)"

why do you feel the need to constantly interupt your DD when she is watching tv just in case she becomes immersed in it? Would you like it if someone constantly asked YOU questions when you were watching a favorite program? Why not allow her to immerse herself in something she enjoys?