DS does not want to learn about WW2 - the new topic for the term as it upsets him.

[alison222]

He came home with homework today asking what the children know about life during WWII. He has started, but says he does not want to learn about it as he keeps imagining horrible war scenes in his head.

What do I do as I can't change the topic at school?

Speak to his teacher. There's also a lot of good stories, of bravery and determination which are associated with WWII, maybe putting another view on it would help?

How old is he? Is it the social aspect they are looking at or the political aspect?
If social could he talk to relatives or friends who lived through it?

Aggh. Just typed long reply and the site crashed me out.
I will go and talk to the teacher.
I am hoping that the homework which mentions "life during WWII" means life in England ie rationing, air raids, evacuation etc and nothing too traumatic.

None of our living relatives that we see often are old enough to have lived through the war though.
DS is 11 and has AS.

No, ds has done this and it's not traumatic. The children do learn about Hitler and the Jews, otherwise it's about life in the UK. It's not in depth.

thanks. Will still go and have a word with the teacher though.

I would also. I hope you get something sorted.

Oh my. The things we have to come. Year 1 DS1 insists we turn Kung Fu Panda off the tv, ben 10 too, cos of fighting and DS2 not allowed to watch it either. i don't think WWII has a chance! They must be able to find a workaround - well I hope so anyway

I had a quick word with the teacher this morning.
As I thought it might be, form the way this weeks homework was worded, it focuses mainly on what life was like for the ordinary people during the war.
Ds knows a fair bit about this from what he has picked up from TV and books over the years, so this does not sound like it will be too scary. - There is a bit about the reasons for it starting, who was involved , how long etc but it doesn't sound like there is too much to be concerned about - However, the CT has not taught this subject before so I think she is still preparing her lessons as she goes along.

I have just googled and it mostly looks pretty harmless on the websites I looked at,
Home Guard, evacuation, what daily life was like in the 40's. Of course there is also air raids, the holocaust etc to deal with. I hope that this is not dealt with in too much detail as this will be what causes the upset. I know that DS knows something about this as they have already looked at the diary of Anne Frank last year.

Fingers crossed. I will try to catch the TA as well to warn her so that she knows to keep an eye on his "distraction" (hands waving , fidgeting etc.) behaviours to tell if something is upsetting him. She is great and will notice if she is looking out for it.