How would you feel if your child was 'encouraged' to play with a child with learning difficulty?

[Nottigermum]

DS is 5 years old, in year 1, and he has a severe speech disorder. Most people can understand him now but it is difficult to understand him in a busy classroom. The school has proposed this year to keep on doing speech therapy with him every day, but the difference is that some of the therapy includes playing various communications games with another children from his class.

The games take about 15 minutes, usually taking place in the school library, and the teacher chooses a different child every day, encouraging them to play with my son (who really struggles to make friends because of his speech). its anything from snakes and ladders to snap.

One of my very good friend overheard a parent in the playground saying that she is not happy about this and she would complain to the teacher. She said they can't force her daughter to play with my son, it takes children away from the classroom, etc. of course it hurts but i am trying to go beyond that and find out about various opinions.

What do you think? how would you feel if that would happen in your child's classroom? Thanks for your honest opinions!

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

I would encourage them myself, this parent sounds like a bigot, sorry you heard that. I would take the view that my children would learn a lot from your ds and how different people communicate. In fact I am furious on your behalf

gah, i would think the school was lovely,. at least i hope i would think that.

I'd be pleased that my dc's school was making such efforts to treat kids as individuals and provide the help that they need.

I don't see the issue at all, I think the parent who said that is being ridiculous

what kind of society is this ffs?! ignorant parent grrr

It wouldn't bother me at all. In fact I think that mean mum would be unpopular with her DD if she did manage to prevent her DD from doing it, it sounds like a lot of fun for the kids.

and i think the children involved would love it.

How awful of that mother. I wouldn't mind at all

It is A Good Thing. All round. Don't stress :)

What an ignorant bitch that woman is.
Sorry but her attitude is revolting. I bet all the children are quite happy with the arrangement.

If it was put to me the way you did I would be fine. I would like to think it would be a good thing for both our children. However it's all in the communication isn't it? So If the school didn't explain thj gs well, or at all, I might feel different

My DC are older, but if this was asked of them at that age I wouldn't have a problem at all, and I think they would have liked to do it.

I would be hurt too if I were you, but I bet there are lots of other parents who are fine with it.

I would think my child would really enjoy fifteen minutes in a small group / game situation,

I think it's a great idea and it wouldn't bother me, nor should it bother anyone else IMO.

I would be pleased the school was making such an effort. It's not like they're suggesting children spend half a day out of the classroom - the kids probably like being chosen to do it!

I would be perfectly happy with this and it sounds like a lovely way to help your son to gain confidence and friendships.

Two caveats. I'd need it explained that my child would only be missing little snippets of classroom time - has that been properly explained? Did she maybe think her child would be missing class time regularly?

And the other one. Do the other parents actually know the nature of your DS's speech problems and why this is being organised? I know at our school, often the other parents don't understand the nature of the children's SEN conditions as they are only known to the school staff and the child's parents. This can sadly lead to other parents being sniffy as they label the child as naughty, a bully, etc as they don't understand that child's needs. Which is heartbreaking to the parents of the SEN child.

Yes, i agree that the school sounds great.

I would genuinely be chuffed to bits. I would hope that my DD's would enjoy a different activity and I have no doubt they would learn a lot from it. If they gained a new friend along the way then that's a bonus.

Don't let one highly-strung, competitive 'tiger mum' get you down.

I think its a good idea for all of them. Gives them a chance to do different stuff with different children. Stretches the friendship groups. Teaches them a bit of patience with each other.

Other mum is bonkers.

Would be happy for him to do this. Think it is important to socialise with a variety of people and who knows, some of the other children might find it hard to make friends so would be a benfit for them too.

15 mins! What is she complaining about! She sounds unpleasant and I would hope represents a tiny minority.

My honest opinion is that I would feel honoured and proud that my dc was considered nice enough /sensible enough to be chosen !!

What a horrible thing for that other mother to say....learning in school isn't just about English and Maths....any how snakes and ladders IS numeracy !!

Oh I am getting more irate as I type (need icon of steam pouring !)

No problem at all.
My DD's old school did something similar - she used to love being picked saw it as a real treat and has also helped her to become empathetic to her friends needs. (Although I will admit that when they first started doing it they didn't explain anything and dd would come bouncing out of school saying she's spent the afternoon with the SENCO which threw me slightly as she doesn't have any SEN).
Ignore stupid woman - her DD will be the one missing out.

Wow :(

I would be very happy that my child would be helping another child.

Have you spoken to the teacher? (Maybe difficult if you haven't directly overheard/spoken to the mum in question)

This year they opened a new class in ds1's school for children with various problems. I wad thrilled and even proud-The school's admissions officer recently told me that a huge number of parents complained about it :(

I wouldn't be worried at all and happy that my child was getting this special 15 minutes once in a while