How often does your primary school child watch DVDs at school?

[PavlovtheCat]

I am becoming increasingly annoyed with DD coming home to tell me that she has watched Alice in Wonderland instead of going outside at playtime, or that for their 'choice' time or whatever it is, she chose to go to the DVD room to watch.

Not educational dvds, things they watch, learn about then do a project on or something like that. But instead of reading, writing, drawing, counting, playing.

this morning she told me that she could choose between going out to play at playtime (extended playtime that they have every other day or few days or so) and watching some of Alice in Wonderland. She chose to watch the DVD. It was a lovely, still calm, bright, crisp winter day and perfect for going outside.

I am just amazed at how often this happens and wonder if I am just being uptight about it. Is it now normal for this be 'education'? and I am being out of touch, or am I right to be concerned that this passes for learning these days. It seems pretty lazy to me.

she is 5, does not have any illnesses that mean she should be indoors ratehr than running outside with her friends getting air and exercise (i know that some children, some of the time, and some all of the time, cant do this freely for various reasons, illness or whatever).

They could be learning

I don't think half an hour's choosing time is a very big deal. I don't think it will affect their learning progression that much!

Even half an hour a week adds up to a full week over the school year ...

should have said that, although DVD time has been on the golden time "list" for our school (and as I said they offer a good few things other than this which everyone would say is play and education at the same time and require teaching eg sewing, tennis and many i'v forgotten) they do restrict the dvd choice - you cant choose it every week, they keep a list and do stick to it

TBH I wish it wasnt on the list, but its not every week and they do do lots of other things, I am happy with the school etc so dont mind overall

So to me it does seem to be about (a) do you agree with golden time (b) if so then its more the choice of activities. I would be annoyed if there was only 2 choices, it does sound like covering for gaps in teaching resource.

The more I think about it the more it annoys me. And all those in favour of it, you are not convincing me easily.

DD always wants to watch a DVD. She could happily watch them over and over. She can look forward to it when she gets home, snuggled with her mum, dad and brother. She can look forward to it on a rainy sunday afternoon with her family, friends coming to visit and having a picnic in the front room. She does not have to look forward to it at school. She would feel privaleged and rewarded if she was able to go onto the computer for half hour, or could do painting, or, I could think of so so so many things that she, along with her school companions would love to do as a reward for good behaviour. Team building exercises, games that test and strengthen their minds while still allowing them to 'chill out'. I just do not think a weekly DVD cuts it. half hour or not. Once upon a time, that half hour would be the teacher reading George's Marvelous Medicine or somesuch. I recall being very excited about our weekly reading session at school, we all sat on the carpet for the next installment of whatever we were reading. So, that half hour, that has now been replaced with disney as the teacher?

sleep as far as I am aware, golden time is 'outdoor time', unless they chose the dvd option. But, before I go in guns ablazing I will clarify this exact point as dd is only 5! I just know that each week she has watched one dvd at least. They also do 'wet play' which often includes a dvd. chuck them outside with their wellies on is my preferred option there too

I remember a year at primary school where we watched loads of videos of Disney films and the night before recorded 'Life of Plants' with David Attenborough. I hated it, it was supposed to be a treat, was supposed to be great fun but I didnt really like watching films. Some i had seen before and others (The Little Mermaid) i just had no interest in and they seemed so long. I would have been happier reading/colouring in a corner but that wasnt allowed as it was so special.

Yes I'm with you - dd1 (6, yr1) has come home from school on many occasions saying she watched a dvd at school that day. It was particularly bad before Christmas, I was getting fed up with it. It seems a bit better this term but on the other hand they haven't done PE once since they went back after the holidays....Grrr.

stranded oh yes, before christmas, I think they watched dvds pretty much all week in the final week! well, they did do decorations to be fair and a day to bring in their own toys, but they watched at least two that week.

I guess it is worse for everyone else thinking about it. DD loves films, and would want to stay. BUT. she is a proper figit, and cannot keep still, or be quiet. She needs to be out running, even though she might want to watch a dvd.

Hi PavlovtheCat:

I have to say that at my DDs schools DVD watching occurs at predictable points in the year:

just before Christmas break
just before Easter break
just before breaking up for Summer

just before parent/ teacher conferences

If you're school is falling into that pattern than all I can say is you're not alone. Our school also links this into 'golden time' and encourages children to bring in DVDs they can chose from. My feeling is this is linked to having the children quietly engaged whilst teachers prepare admin. However, I have discovered this year DD1 (Y4) and her classmates met individually with teacher to discuss next terms learning targets whilst DVD was playing - so maybe not such a bad use of time.

It is annoying - but I think you have to find out whether this does link into other things. Sometimes watching a DVD will link into creative writing/ art projects - even discussion of history or science. It can be a bit difficult to get all this from your child - but try asking other parents if they know about watching 'Alice in Wonderland' for example and how this is being used in class.

Parking kids in front of a DVD isn't ideal - but sometimes the kids request it (as part of Golden Time for example) and sometimes it genuinely is part of a wider learning project in class - so try and find out more before deciding you decide to genuinely annoyed.

I have the same problem in our reception class. Over Christmas he was watching so many DVDs they were starting to repeat in class. One week he watched a movie a day for a week. My son loves a movie, however, even now he is complaining about having to keep watching Hello Kitty! I have asked for it to be raised at our parent forum meeting. IMO it is lazy teaching.