McDonalds Song

[mintymum]

My daughter started reception last week and after 3 days came home and said she wanted her birthday party at McDonalds. We were confused as she's only been to McDonalds about four times and we don't really talk about it much. Then I discovered that they are singing the Fastfood Song as part of their wake up shake up routine. I was very upset about this as I don't want fastfood brands advertised to her at school at the age of only 4! The teacher said she couldn't see the problem and referred me to the Headteacher. I spoke to the Headteacher today and I think she saw my point but doesn't want parents interfering with the curriculum. I can't believe that they can promote healthy eating and yet sing this song as part of a fitness routine!! The head said she will raise it at the staff meeting but judging by the class teacher's reaction I don't think the head will change her mind. One of the main problems is that they've been doing this song for two years and no-one has complained before. Also that although the parents I spoke to in the playground agreed it was bad, only one other parent wanted to make a fuss about it. Does anyone else have this song at their school? The head said that all the children know the song already - is this true or only true of the ones who have older brothers and sisters?

[firstgreatholswiththree]

I don't think I would be that pleased. My kids are allowed to eat McDonalds occasionally and we call not so healthy food "occasional food". We talk to them in the supermarket that cartons with pictures / cartoon characters on them probably don't have good stuff in them and it's kinda a trick to get us to by it and we try to explain what adverts are for and my goodness UK is way ahead of other countries in term of marketing. I remember my kids 3 and 2 at the time driving past hungry jacks (burger king) shouting jacks jacks jacks chips chips chips. DC aged 2 now sings different things and just copies the others, you can't stop things in playground under over pepsi cola etc. I just see that I can still educate them around all these funny songs but I don't think it's ideal in reception or younger - I'm not sure I would go after them on it because I've done things like that before (politely) and it's marked the kids cards.

[wannaBe]

some people really need to get out more.

When I was at school we went on browny camps and one of the leaders' dh was a folk singer. As seven/eight year olds we sat around the camp fire being entertained by him singing

\link{\this}
and

\link{\this}

Now I wonder how many of today's parents would have complained about that! but we loved them - the gorier the better!

[bonkers20]

I think some people are being quite harsh.

While you are of course in your rights to not object one little bit to the song, it would be decent to acknowledge that other people do find it wrong that 4 year olds are being taught to sing about fast food in school.

There are threads on here about how home made cake is not allowed in packed lunches, we hear about all these healthy schools initiatives - fruit for KS1, teaching them about 5 a day bla bla bla.

Children will make an association between the McDonald's song and being active and healthy in the morning. Bizarre. What's wrong with Wheels on the bus or the head, shoulders, knees and toes?

I have two children. I can count on one hand the number of times I've raised an issue of complaint. This was one of them.

[mummytime]

I'd suggest waiting until you have something to really complain about. And this is from a mega-complainy mummy.

[coccyx]

Some people have far too much time on their hands!!

[hels71]

It has been sung in every school I have worked in or volunteered in for the last 16 years....and both Brownie packs I have helped with. Not one complaint!

Your children are singing the words..."Mcdonalds Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken" not anything rude, or swear words or sexually explicit or racist or in any way inappropriate. They are not singing that they must go or that the food is great (Or not in the versions I have heard schools use).

Presumably you would also object to them singing "a ford escort a mini and ferrari"..the other words we use as it wold make them think they need to have certain cars???? Or indeed to have a car for those that don't?

Get a grip people......

[LawrieMarlow]

We sing it at Brownies (sang it this week). Am hoping for no backlash from parents.

[frasersmummy]

I cant believe there are parents complaining about this...

we sing it at brownies.. its not advertising its just a daft song with daft actions.. the kinda thing kids love

There are other verses re other types of fast food which have actions I wouldnt each kids but this first verse is just fun

Surely there is more to worry about in school than a fun action song

[livinonaprayer]

It's just a song is if not?
I sang it at brownies and hated all fast food as a very odd kid!

[bonkers20]

I complained when my DS (now 12) was taught this at his nursery! I honestly don't think they were actually thinking very deeply about it - it was just another song. However, the nursery manager supported my complaint and they stopped singing it.

When there are SO many more action songs to sing, why go for that horrid one? It's a darn catchy tune and you can bet that'll be the one they remember.

Most of you have probably seen the part in Supersize Me where very young children were ALL able to recognise the Golden Arches above the president and Jesus (I accept this was not a proper scientific study, but still....).

They really do not need unnecessary exposure to fast food at 4 years old.

As the children get older it's far easier to explain why you might not agree with certain goings on at school e.g. Nestle tokens or choosing not to use the road safety stickers emblazzoned with BP. It's hard when they're younger, and there are times when you have to accept that you choose to send them to school so you have to accept what they do.

[limetrees]

You can tell your DD that too much fast food isn't particularly healthy at home.

I think that it is a bizarre choice of song for them to sing in reception, but I wouldn't have said anything myself. You will make a name for yourself if you continue to hassle teachers about this sort of thing - NOT because you are wrong, of course you are correct, but because teachers are soooo busy and have huge amounts of work to deal with.

As for the McDonalds party - she probably heard that from another child anyway. She's 4 - you decide what party she's having (or not having) and you can make up any excuse you like - you could go with your stance on fast food or you could tell her McDonalds is full on her birthday/anything you want. Or distract her with a better offering.

Our school does things that I might not do but I just do as the teachers say so that my kids can participate without hassle.

[yellowkiwi]

My Ds came home from Reception saying that we had to eat lots of Nestle cereal so that the school could buy lots of lovely books. I considered complaining to the school, but thought better of it and just explained to him why we wouldn't be doing that and he's never asked again.

Anything to avoid one of mummy's little rants .

[redrobin]

completely inappropriate! there are plenty of songs with actions that they could sing - i started a thread yesterday about my daughter coming home with a barbie book - is school just a marketing opportunity now? i would have complained really strongly, well done.

[mrz]

iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/midcheshirechronicles/content_objectid=13134782_method=full_siteid=50020_headline=-Fast-Food-fight-to-continue-name_page.html

www.scoutingresources.org.uk/songs/songs_003.html

[mamsnet]

Well, I don't consider myself precious about stuff like fast food (it has its moments) but I would be FURIOUS if that song were part of my little girl's routine.

[mrz]

It's a really old song although I've never heard the You tube lip licking version sung in a school

[neerg]

You need to think about why the school is singing this song. You say that they sing it as part of their wake up and shake up, so they are not doing it to advertise- more because the actions that go with it are good and fun for the children to do. Your child will now be open to lots of influences that you can not control and come home with the latest crazes or ideas that buzz through school and the playground. You are being a bit PFB about this- just say no to the party and move on.

[Peachy]

We used to sing this song at school (those strange performers sang it, they didn't create it) , and I am pushing 40! I don't like McDnalds and it really had NO effect on me.

Would I worry? nope.

I do mean teh chorus though not the whole fast food rockers (why do I remember that???) bit. But that's abouta dvertising as much as age inappropriateness.

They did a song about preferring MAcDonalds to famile meals in the junior leaving play last summer; and we are a rare school wit no obesity of healthy eating issues.

[MayDayChild]

I'm in the inappropriate band too! I would have done exactly the same OP.

[Bramshott]

inappriopriate?? Spelling fail!

[Bramshott]

Fine for juniors (who will probably already know it!), inappriopriate for reception IMO.

[tinytalker]

I can't believe you are seriously complaining to the teacher and then to the Head over this . I'm sure they love you!
I bet you don't let your children sing Baa Baa Black sheep either.
Frankly there are more important things in your child's education to worry about. If you wind up the teachers about something as piffling as this then you run the risk of being labelled and passed off as a moaner so when you do have a more important issue you may not be taken seriously. I'm afraid it was parents like you that made my job as a reception/Yr1 teacher more stressful than it need have been. Take a chill pill!

[littleducks]

We used to sing that at guides when I was young, well the chorus only.

I would be ok with dd singing the chorus.....not so sure about the "I liick my lips, I can't resist! and the suggestive hip shaking though

[Proudnscary]

It's a bit off, yes. My two have had McDonalds loads of times, I'm not precious about fast food every couple of weeks but really no need for this at school.