'...but they LAUGH at me Mummy when I am dressed as a donkey...sob...'

[TwinklyfLightAttendant]

Poor Ds1. Reception is so hard. Today he went back after a week off ill, and suddenly I am being asked by the dinner lady if I have tickets for the play. I had no letter, no idea there was a play...anyway, that's Ok, but later on he tells me he is a donkey, and has to walk onto the stage and sit in the stable.
Fair enough, but then suddenly he got very upset and started saying 'they all laugh at me, they are so mean' and apparently, I don't know who, but some of the children are laughing when he comes in.
What can I do? He is only four. I told him they are not very nice and to ignore it etc. but any suggestions?

Poor thing, kids can be so mean

I was surprised, it's their first Christmas at school and already this sort of thing. Where has all the innocence gone?

Poor little chap.

Go through what he has to do with him.
Be really upbeat and lighthearted.

Tell him that the donkey is the most important character, because without him, Mary and Joseph would have to have waited for a camel, and they are really hard to get hold of at Christmas time.

Act it out in the sitting room.
Get him to strut his stuff.
Even add in a bit of a bow and a twirl.

If he's confident and funny, he'll go down a storm, and the other children will react differently.

Thanks HC. I have tried to do that but he just gets cross and won't talk about it. Will persevere...it's on Weds and Thurs, me and his Grandma are going on thurs.
I hope it goes alright.

Update: have just coaxed him into a rehearsal. He emerged from the 'curtain' (blanket over door) doing suspiciously 'power moves' type pose, 'that doesn't look quite like a donkey, love'

'No I'm NOT a donkey mum, I'm a superhero'.

We are on track, girls...

Aw - he sounds lovely. I bet the donkey superhero will steal the show!

We have been having endless "rehearsals" of DD1's Nativity play at home. I think it does help her feel more confident.

(And the sight of DD1 singing "Where is the King" Where is the King?" while her little sister looks confused and looks for Him behind the curtains will stay with me for ever.)

Hilarious Smith! I hope yours goes well too

t'would indeed Cali

I do feel for your ds. Mine (also in Reception) came home the other day all happy because they had rehearsed their play in costumes for the first time - it was so sweet. But then he told me that they had performed it for the Yr 3 and 4s who had laughed at their singing! WTF!!!! He was so hurt and bewildered by that. Apparently no-one had told these older kids off - just let them laugh at the little ones

Oooh, glad the rehearsals are going well!