Perspective needed on Yr 3 School Production

[girlsmum]

Hi, need some perspective or maybe a shake;

DD aged 7, year 3 is taking part in the school production, as are all of years 3 and 4. DD is taking part in a couple of songs.

DD is getting increasingly upset as the production draws closer. At bedtime when we're chatting about what's happening tom, she gets very upset and cries - always about the same thing - the production. She says she's frightened. She also doesn't like one of the teachers who keeps phsyically pulling her around the stage getting her into position.

Rang Sch last week and spoke to DD's teacher,explained the situation - DD really upset and worried about it and actually doesn't want to take part. Teacher 'surprised etc, I'll speak to DD, maybe move her to the back'. However DD insists teacher has not spoken to her.

The school play is on just before the half term, starting at 7pm on two school nights finishing at 8.15pm. The sch letter says all children must attend.

DD wants me to give her those two days off as sick (!).

So, as DD is now at Juniors do I just encourage her to enjoy, take part, overcome her fears.

Or do I get in the school and pull her out? What will my daughter gain from this experience, will it build confidence? Or will it do the opposite if she's forced to do it?

Am I babying her?

I kind of feel, that X Factor, Britains Got Talent etc, have contributed to the schools really getting stuck in with drama but dropping sports?

Why couldn't they encourage the kids who don't want to take part to maybe help with props or cues etc?

Advice appreciated.

I would opt for the letter rather than grabbing the teacher at the start/end of a busy day. Yes, you can get tone and expression as you want (probably), but that will all get missed out when she passes on the abridged version to colleagues afterwards. At least if it's in writing then your actual words are being passed on, not the teacher's interpretation of them.

Um, well, actually at our school, an evening performance was proposed (Nativity) but the parents were consulted first if the children would be able to make it. It certainly wasn't an assumption that attendance would be compulsory without even asking the parents about it.

OP has know the dates, it was time to have a word as soon as she knew them, not wait until near the time and then refuse to go!

this is what my school does - all kids on stage. If you give her the 2 days off school my worry would be what about the next thing she doesn't want to do. however I would put her at the back