Film shown in school - Opinions please

[rebl]

My dd has been quite upset about a film she watched in school yesterday (Nanny McPhee). She is 4. She says Nanny McPhee (the character) scared her. DD says she told a teacher but was told that she would have to watch it because everyone else was.

Now, I've never watched it so I can't easily pass judgement. But I have looked it up and its a PG. The definition of a PG is it shouldn't contain scenes of a disturbing nature for 8+ but for younger and more sensitive viewers parents should decide whether it is suitable. She hates even scarey bits in the disney films! We've not yet introduced her to not animated films for this very reason, she scares very easily and then doesn't sleep and goes on and on about it for days.

What I don't know is whether to let it lie or say something when we go back at the beginning of next term. DH and I both feel that given her reaction and the fact she actually told a teacher that she should have been allowed to do something else in a different classroom (colouring or whatever). She certainly shouldn't have been made to watch it if it was disturbing her because she's well under 8 and it was clearly unsuitable for her.

But am I just being PFB?

its a scaryish looking character who is a good person.....teach a thing or two about looks being deceptive!

lots of disturbing things will be learnt/seen in school. you cant remove every child to do something else

I don't think its being pfb at all - I'm very surprised that a school would show a pg film to a reception class.

I would check the facts after the holiday and say that in future you only want your DD to watch U/G films.

IloveTiffany is right about the message of he film and my DCs have watched it several times and enjoyed it but I still don't think PG films should be shown to 4 year olds.

If the film is a PG the school is unreasonable to show it to a four year old, IMO.

I have known teachers skip over parts of U films in reception class.

I have watched Nanny McPhee, and found it quite charming, but then I'm not your four year old.

DS is in Yr1 and his teacher recently wanted the class to watch a PG (Dinosaur) so we all had to sign a permission slip before our child was allowed to watch it. We don't have to sign permission slips for a U though.

nanny mcphee...the newish one,is a u

i think!!

Just checked my DVD - the first film is a U, IloveTiffany is right. If its that one then I think its OK to show it but the school should also make allowances for children who are still scared.

I haven't seen the sequel, maybe that one is a PG ?

the 2010 is a u too when i googled,dont have the film myself to check though

Both Nanny McPhee films have 'U' classifications.

Where I used to work even year 6 children were not allowed to watch pg films without specific permission from parents. If no permission had been given then it was U films only. Speak to the school.

Just checked DVD cases. both movies are a U

rebi, you have my complete sympathy, and I hope you don't let others put you off your concerns, or allow them to invalidate your daughter's experience. Films with moral messages may be quaint to adults but are completely age-inappropriate for young children.

I'd like to see no 'films' in schools at all, I find many teachers to be oblivious or dismissive of parent's concerns about film and tv media, and I for one believe you should say something to the school.

The fact that your daughter was disturbed should be justification enough.

Firstly, I think if a child says s/he is scared this shouldn't be ignored, she should be given the option to do something else, especially in reception. Secondly, I am not a fan of plonking 4yos in front of a screen for 1 1/2 hours. Did she understand the story? I don't know about other DC, but when DS was 4 I would stop the film and chat about it to make sure he understood what was going on.

Yes, you all are right, my dh is wrong! Its a U.

But it doesn't alter the fact she was scared. And no she hasn't got the moral of the story that appearances don't matter. If she had she wouldn't be scared now still. Totally gone over her head.

At nearly 4 I was terrified by the football match in Bednobs and Broomsticks when I watched it with my mum. That's a U certificate. You can't always tell what will upset a child.

She shouldn't have been made to watch it if it was scaring her, regardless of age or the rating, IMO

dd1 (7) is allowed to go and do quiet activities in the classroom if the others are in the hall watching a film that scares her - as are her classmates.

Why are they showing commercial films in school?!?!?
If the teachers don't have a lesson planned, they should just let the children play, draw, listen to music or dare I even suggest it read books.

I was terrified of the evil queen in snow white for years

My son watched a performance of the wizard of oz when in the nursery class, so was 3 years old. They put the smallest children in the front row, which meant they were literally sat at the feet of the very convincing witch! He still mentions how scary she was and he is now 5.

Good lord my PFB starts reception this year. Had no idea kids watched films. Shall attempt to keep her home that day! Or take her to the zoo or something educational.
Is that lazy teaching or something?

But surely they can teach a surprise? I know I am currently clueless but why not wide games or putting on a mini play ? A film ? Full of US product placement and irrelevant ish morals?
I simply hope they give me warning and I'll have a 'special' day with her myself.
And they go onand on about taking kids out of school for holidays ?!?
Just confused really

I hate them showing full length feature films to kids in schools.

I hated it when I was in school and had to sit through film after film, when we had a pg teacher we saw alot of films one year.

I can tolerate the idea of shorter things, my kids have seen 'bear hunt,' 'owl babies' and 'the gruffalo' at nursey after reading the books but full 90 min films just seems to much.