Reception children being taught how to use sparklers safely. WITH REAL SPARKELERS

[FrameyMcFrame]

Apparently they're going to be practising name writing and letter formation with sparklers!?!?
Isn't that just asking for trouble?
A permission slip has come home, I really don't want my 4 year old using a sparkler. So I won't be giving permission, but am I being unreasonable to think that it's an insane idea?

Good on the school.
YABU.
I love sparklers and all my DCs have had early (supervised) access to them

I would assume that it would be done in small groups and well supervised. Wouldn't bother me tbh.

I think its fine if done safely

As long as they're wearing gloves

Does it mention gloves on the letter?

Imagine that. Learning to use something by using the real deal thing itself.

It has to be pretty bloody dark to be able to practice letter formation with a sparkler - unless hometime is after 6pm, they haven't thought this through.

Aside from that - I'd rather they were taught sensibly about the dangers etc in that sort of environment than not. And yes, I've let my kids use sparklers from quite a young age - heavily supervised.

Hw=ow is it being undertaken?

Presumably they are doing it in very small groups, with adult supervision and with a firework safety discussion beforehand. And they are asking for parental permission too. there will be a hefty risk assessment done too ime.

It seems like a very good thing to me. Many children this age will be given sparklers at Bonfire Night - and usually without the heavy supervision and safety talk accompany it.

Children need to try out more risky activities in order to learn about them properly. If done careflly then there is no reason for this to be an issue.

If you are really concerned either don't give permission or volunteer to go in and help out that day.

I'm all for teaching kids safely but you are talking about a group of 4 and 5 years old its a ridiculous idea! I wouldn't be giving permission I would also make it clear I wouldn't expect my DC to be anywhere near by the 'experiment' either.

They had sparklers at DS's preschool halloween party last year- with parents and in small groups. It was fun!

My DC have used sparklers from about age 3. What is the problem? Genuinely

It'll be fine. I let mine have mini sparklers in the garden.

I know it's not AIBU but YANBU

Link here: www.firework-review.org.uk/sparklers-be-safe/

"Never give sparklers to children under 5"

I was just about to say I thought they advised not for under 5s.

Absolutely fine...sounds good to me.

I think that school deserves a medal. Brilliant idea.

Not sure about in school, unless it was one-to-one but DS had one last year when he was 2. We both held the sparkler together and he loved it.

It is a great idea, it will be totally fine & safe. You are stressing over nothing, time to unwrap that cotton wool a tad. I think your child will be more upset and standing watching her classmates having good supervised fun. They go to school to learn and have new experiences, so let him/het!

Do they say in the letter how it will be organised/supervised?I think in small groups with usual precautions it will be fine.

Can't see it being much fun or a successful letter writing exercise in day light though.

Worrying about children and sparklers is just one tiny example of how risk-averse we have become as a society and yes, it's something I have a bee in my bonnet about.

Wrt the above link I totally agree that anybody who needs to be told not to use them indoors or not to give them to a drunk adult, should also not give them to an under-5. FFS. All these bits of safety advice are sound enough but are the lowest common denominator. Some 4 year olds with supervision will be fine with sparklers, some 6 year olds won't be. Some teenagers can be fairly accident prone, maybe they should not be allowed either?!

What about conkers?
Cycling/skating without every bit of safety equipment known to man?
Climbing trees? Actual trees? Without a safety mat underneath
Going to school on their own?
Going to the local shops on their own?

All of the above will be appropriate in some circumstances and not in others and every bit of indepencence has risks, so surely it is our job as parents and teachers and as society to teach our kids how to handle dangers.

Sparklers are hot, very hot. They can burn and hurt you. This is how you handle them.

I am amazed the school has the guts tbh but am heartened to hear that they do.

Sorry.
Rant over.
I feel strongly about this - can you tell?

pacific you speak much sense. We love and protect our children but sometimes they have to be allowed to do things. Risky things, in age appropriate ways and with correct supervision before we start breeding a generation of people who reach adulthood unable to do a damn thing for themselves like cook or iron or use a toaster or cross a road.

thanks for the responses, it's interesting to hear other people's opinions.

The firework safety code which is on NHS website and other various government websites says never give fireworks to under 5s. This is because they won't necessarily understand why they are dangerous. I suppose that's what i was driving at, that they're too little to understand the concept, my DS is still in a world of his own most of the time, he might not be able to understand and follow safety advice and the stakes are too high.
I also think that the school are sending out the wrong message when the official advice is not to give them to under 5s. Even MN firework advice page says that.
I think it's different at home where you are completely responsible for your own child and can make decisions and supervise them one to one, but at school I think it's not a good plan.

My son's pre-school had a toast making session last year, with each child putting their own slice in the toaster and putting their choice of spread on it afterwards and eating it. It was well supervised and the children were made well aware of the dangers of putting their fingers near the toaster and how the toast would be hot when it came out. The youngest children were 2 and a half, the oldest were 4. They loved it and it was really successful, but a couple of parents got all stressed and refused to allow their children to participate. I just don't get it, everything in life involves a little bit of risk, if carefully supervised and used as a teaching opportunity about the potential risks, I don't see why schools shouldn't be allowed to try these things.

government fireworks safety advice
fireworks code

making toast and holding a sparkler are very different risks dumbelina though