Does your Juniors/primary ban pokemon/matchattax/crazybones/gormiti etc?

[gaussgirl]

Ours does and to be honest, it irritates me a bit! I think 'swappables' can be a useful way of making friends with others, learning 'fairness' and what's a 'fair trade'. I know why they do it but could they not set down ground rules? Like you can only trade within your year group and only at certain times? They also banned tamagotchi, but YEARS ago when they didn't have a pause mode! DS1, in Y2 at the time got to know all sorts of different kids through 'connecting' with them in the infants playground, and I seriously don't think it did any harm. Yes, they had to be on pause mode in class but they're small enough to be left in a pocket.

What does your school do?

No but DS doesn't appear to be learning "fair trade" rules through it.

Mine used to allow the DC to bring them in, then there was a spate of thefts and after consultation with the children they decided that no one should bring them in.

Yes, the theft aspect could be a worry- perhaps a limit of 2-3 objects could be brought in on any one day?

And at least your school consulted the DCs!

Crazybones banned at our school and I'm in favour as too much upset when gogos lost, etc. DS still smuggles a few in from time to time though

DS had a big pack of Yugioh cards pinched at school. They had been banned but they changed their mind and they had to put them in a cupboard during the day. When DS went to get his back they were gone
It then got a bit unfair as girls were allowed to bring in stickers to swap but cards were banned, I don't know if that was ever resolved.

Gogos were allowed in reception but I'm glad the craze has died out in Yr1 because the knowing kids used to take advantage and certainly DD had some of hers taken without her consent. I think they should be banned.

I can see your point- hence perhaps the number limit AND the trading only within a year and THESE are the rules, kids! At our school, the trading tended to be done in groups thus there were several witnesses to foul play, esp where there was a sense of there being rules.

As a teacher, I support the banning of all cards. Absolute nightmare! The aggro they can cause in the classroom after playtime/lunchtime is unbelievable. Restricting who they can trade with and when would never work. If the child saw someone with the card they needed, the fact they were in a different year group would not stop the trading (and the following tell tales etc.) Ban them all!!

Agree with Marathon. If they want to learn about fair trade, they can do it outside school, and the parents can break up the ensuing fights.
Every now and again, in our school, someone relents on the issue of these toys. Within a week, we're all threatening resignation unless they're banned again.

I too like the connections and friendships to be made thru Match Attax etc, but they have been banned at our jnrs after a boy had his entire collection of swaps taken from his tray.

I guess it's fair enough - if you want to swap in school context, have mum bring them to the school gate at home time and do it then.

Or arrange a swapping party at home!

I'm not a teacher, but I don't think it's fair to expect teachers to deal with the hassle that "crazes" entail. Introducing rules around them involves having people willing to enforce them, teachers have better things to do with their time.

Banned in our school too. Mainly due to the theft issue.

Banned a couple of weeks into term. Apparently there were swaps going on, then they'd want the card back and it was all ending in arguments.

Far more likely to make enemies than friends.

Ours allow it before and after school - basically whn the parents are there to supervise. But they're not allowed to keep the cards in school during the day.