Frequent t.v. watching in school

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 01:20PM #1

What are your opinion's on your kids being let to watch t.v. in school? This seems to happen on a regular basis in one of our child's primary school. Whenever it rains (obviously very often) they're kept inside the large hall and we're told they watch everything from The Simpsons, to Spiderman, funny youtube videos, etc. The amount of t.v they watched in the run up to Christmas instead of doing any lessons was unreal.
Flyers and info have been sent home about the importance of being physically active and tracking that with your family yet at school instead of burning off any energy during the day (which I feel is very important) or having the children interact with each other doing games, etc it seems they're usually set in front of the t.v. I haven't raised concerns with the school yet, but I've spoken to a few parents who also aren't happy about it. I'd love to get some viewpoints here.

freshpopcorn · 18-01-2020 01:56PM

I think there are a few factors here.
Does the school do much PE?
Are they doing the active flag,etc.

How was the weather during these days? IE was it stuck in during a wet lunch time.

I'm fairly sure we got shown videosbduring wet lunch times as well but we were free enough to talk and play games also. Were they allowed to do this or were they told they had to sit in silence and watch the video.

Was it just teachers trying to be nice in the lead up to Christmas.

Was it an reward that the children got for positive behaviour,etc.

Could the kids be over dramatic about the amount of TV was shown.

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 02:05PM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I think there are a few factors here.
Does the school do much PE?
Are they doing the active flag,etc.

How was the weather during these days? IE was it stuck in during a wet lunch time.

I'm fairly sure we got shown videosbduring wet lunch times as well but we were free enough to talk and play games also. Were they allowed to do this or were they told they had to sit in silence and watch the video.

Was it just teachers trying to be nice in the lead up to Christmas.

Was it an reward that the children got for positive behaviour,etc.

Could the kids be over dramatic about the amount of TV was shown.

Thanks for the feedback.

Occasionally they do games, but it's usually being made to stand or sit against a wall to watch t.v. I collect from school every day and I ask how the day was, what was done during lunch, etc. Most times I hear what was on the t.v on their breaks. I think tv should be rare, and young children should almost always be playing instead and getting the energy out.

Weather was bad at these times so stuck inside and watching t.v., otherwise they go out if weather is good. Hall is big enough to do games and play inside...

I did put it down to teachers being nice prior to Christmas and I could see on the last day or two before the break, but there was a solid week and a bit more where they seemed to be doing little else. No homework given either.

Reward for positive behavior was a class pajama party before school was let out.

I don't think I could put it down to being dramatic or over generalizing as I'm asking each day vs being told or complaining about "always watching" etc.

B.A._Baracus · 18-01-2020 02:15PM

You're worry about that Shi*e?

freshpopcorn · 18-01-2020 02:45PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback.

Occasionally they do games, but it's usually being made to stand or sit against a wall to watch t.v. I collect from school every day and I ask how the day was, what was done during lunch, etc. Most times I hear what was on the t.v on their breaks. I think tv should be rare, and young children should almost always be playing instead and getting the energy out.

Weather was bad at these times so stuck inside and watching t.v., otherwise they go out if weather is good. Hall is big enough to do games and play inside...

I did put it down to teachers being nice prior to Christmas and I could see on the last day or two before the break, but there was a solid week and a bit more where they seemed to be doing little else. No homework given either.

Reward for positive behavior was a class pajama party before school was let out.

I don't think I could put it down to being dramatic or over generalizing as I'm asking each day vs being told or complaining about "always watching" etc.

So by the sounds of it on dry days the kids are out and wet days they are inside in the hall.

How many people can this hall accommodate and how many classes are in it at lunch time?

I know when I was at primary school on wet days people ate there lunch in the hall and went back to there class room to play board games, etc.( I never really heard of a whole school playing, running inside unless it's a tiny school on a wet day).
This was a large enough school and there was only a few teachers wondering around supervising. I doubt this would be allowed now and that's why they are all kept in the hall.

Would the hall be safe to run around in. I know in most schools classes yards are generally separated but this would be hard to do in a school hall. Some would consider it dangerous having sixth class and junior infants in such an enclosed space playing.

The Pyjama party was probally a reward but there's generally lots of other little one's given also.

One thing I know from speaking to any teacher I know nothing is really done during the week of the holidays. They are generally bits and pieces happening around the school and nobody is really settled.

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 03:16PM

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

You're worry about that Shi*e?

Move along if you've nothing to add. Thanks.

NIMAN · 18-01-2020 03:19PM

I'd not be happy if it was my kids school OP.

Ted_YNWA · 18-01-2020 03:21PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

Move along if you've nothing to add. Thanks.

Leave it to the mods to decide who can & can't post. Thanks

If you have an issue with a post/poster use the report function.

Tuff Gong · 18-01-2020 03:21PM

NIMAN wrote: »

I'd not be happy if it was my kids school OP.

Me neither, and putting on youtube videos for them to watch during school! I'd be straight in demanding to know what tf is going wrong.

Smashmouth · 18-01-2020 03:26PM

Sounds crap. Kids monging out in front of a tv doesn't merit a second thought with a lot of people. I'd definitely be concerned about it.

I also don't think there's a whole load of extenuating circumstances like the second poster is suggesting.

Surely the teachers can come up with a more physically or mentally stimulating way to pass the time than that. Sounds like pure carelessness and laziness on their part.

freshpopcorn · 18-01-2020 03:30PM

Smashmouth wrote: »

Surely the teachers can come up with a more physically or mentally stimulating way to pass the time than that. Sounds like pure carelessness and laziness on their part.

If it's at lunch time and you've a hall full of students it can be farely hard from what I know.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 18-01-2020 03:31PM

This may sound a bit extreme, but have you talked to the school about it?

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 03:39PM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

So by the sounds of it on dry days the kids are out and wet days they are inside in the hall.

How many people can this hall accommodate and how many classes are in it at lunch time?

I know when I was at primary school on wet days people ate there lunch in the hall and went back to there class room to play board games, etc.( I never really heard of a whole school playing, running inside unless it's a tiny school on a wet day).
This was a large enough school and there was only a few teachers wondering around supervising. I doubt this would be allowed now and that's why they are all kept in the hall.

Would the hall be safe to run around in. I know in most schools classes yards are generally separated but this would be hard to do in a school hall. Some would consider it dangerous having sixth class and junior infants in such an enclosed space playing.

The Pyjama party was probally a reward but there's generally lots of other little one's given also.

One thing I know from speaking to any teacher I know nothing is really done during the week of the holidays. They are generally bits and pieces happening around the school and nobody is really settled.

Not sure how many the hall can accommodate. 130-150? It's a small but newly upgraded rural school this year. One of the reasons this is on my mind is because it sounds like there's a lot of messing around in the classrooms based off what my child is telling me and other parents as well. Wondering if a lack of opportunity to burn off some energy is partly to blame.

I just clarified with my child that it's only ever the classroom they watch films in. Hall is for games only. All grades would be together at breaks outside, 2 grades would be together for PE in the hall. Mostly they watch films during both breaks vs playing games in the hall. This is all going to be adding up to ton of tv being watched in school due to poor weather.

So, because it may be dangerous for all classes to play together in a hall, that's the reason they're stuck in the classrooms watching tv more often than not? Why can't the breaks be staggered then so classes closer to each other can mix better?

It seems odd to me that an entire week + of learning is burned before the holidays before they're off for 2 whole weeks.

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 03:42PM

Nina Jealous Symbolism wrote: »

This may sound a bit extreme, but have you talked to the school about it?

Not yet. My wife and I have started to chat with other parents about it though and overwhelming consensus so far is that they're not happy about it either. Thought I'd toss it up here for some perspective!

freshpopcorn · 18-01-2020 03:52PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

Not sure how many the hall can accommodate. 130-150? It's a small but newly upgraded rural school this year. One of the reasons this is on my mind is because it sounds like there's a lot of messing around in the classrooms based off what my child is telling me and other parents as well. Wondering if a lack of opportunity to burn off some energy is partly to blame.

I just clarified with my child that it's only ever the classroom they watch films in. Hall is for games only. All grades would be together at breaks outside, 2 grades would be together for PE in the hall. Mostly they watch films during both breaks vs playing games in the hall. This is all going to be adding up to ton of tv being watched in school due to poor weather.

So, because it may be dangerous for all classes to play together in a hall, that's the reason they're stuck in the classrooms watching tv more often than not? Why can't the breaks be staggered then so classes closer to each other can mix better?

It seems odd to me that an entire week + of learning is burned before the holidays before they're off for 2 whole weeks.

One thing to remember is remember is lots of halls can seat 150 but it wouldn't work with 150 all running around unless it's a very big hall.
Class room behaviour is another issue. It may depend on of kids have needs, poor class room management from the teacher or your kid might be over dramatic about little incidents. Incidents are going to happen.

This is something your going to have to talk to the class teacher about and go in with a level head.

They'll probally remove the TV and just have sit down games on wet days. I doubt you'll get them to organise physical activity.

I could never imagine staggered breaks working.
It would be almost home time before some classes got a break.
SNAs are shared between classes and take different breaks to teachers.
Some teachers also are on supervision and lunch times and others aren't. I couldn't see it working to be honest.

Generally schools do very little in the week before the summer or Christmas holidays but the curriculum is generally covered. Teacher who do try and do much generally find they get no where.

PS when you mention grades are you from outside of Ireland?

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 03:55PM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

One thing to remember is remember is lots of halls can seat 150 but it wouldn't work with 150 all running around unless it's a very big hall.
Class room behaviour is another issue. It may depend on of kids have needs, poor class room management from the teacher or your kid might be over dramatic about little incidents. Incidents are going to happen.

This is something your going to have to talk to the class teacher about and go in with a level head.

They'll probally remove the TV and just have sit down games on wet days. I doubt you'll get them to organise physical activity.

I could never imagine staggered breaks working.
It would be almost home time before some classes got a break.
SNAs are shared between classes and take different breaks to teachers.
Some teachers also are on supervision and lunch times and others aren't. I could see it working to be honest.

Generally schools do very little in the week before the summer or Christmas holidays but the curriculum is generally covered. Teacher who do try and do much generally find they get no where.

Thanks for all the insight, really appreciate that. Even organising some games or at least an educational video when they're stuck inside would be preferable alright.

LC2016 · 18-01-2020 03:58PM

Putting the whole school into the hall and allowing them to run riot sounds like a complete safety hazard.
It’s normal for the teacher to put on some sort of movie or something if the children are being kept inside. I know of teachers who might put on children’s news or something educational or do a little movement break inside the classroom after lunch if the children don’t get out.Remember it’s the teacher’s break as well as the children’s break during lunchtime. Usually one or two teachers would be on yard duty or corridor duty if kept inside and expecting them to control hundreds of children running around in an enclosed area is a bit crazy.
It sounds like your child’s teacher was just being nice and trying to keep them entertained during their break and I’m sure the rest of the school day is of educational benefit to your child.

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 03:59PM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

PS when you mention grades are you from outside of Ireland?

No, but my family and I spent a considerable time outside Ireland so some things have stuck, we're in a weird transition phase these past couple years

RandomName2 · 18-01-2020 03:59PM

I'd have thought that the main concern in relation to a school would be education. If the complaint was that they were missing lessons due to tv watching that would be one thing, but missing out on potential opportunities for indoor physical exercise? It does really kind of feel that if your concerns are this slight then you are in a good place.

From the school's point of view kids engaged in physical games has to be regulated somewhat. If one of them had an accident and it turned out the hall they were running around in had 200 kids in it, insurance may be unhappy.

An opportunity for socialization? Yes, that makes sense (and such skills are one of the things that schools are really support to teach, or at least promote). Maybe a slight reduction of the tv watching for socialization would be good. I'm sure this would require more supervision on the school's part (as kids are less likely to get rowdy when silently watching tv), but it's not really a big ask, I think.

c.p.w.g.w · 18-01-2020 04:10PM

Surley getting the kids to play board games or do a table quiz would be better than sitting them in front of a TV...School is bad enough as it is without introducing screen time...

From my experience of school, it seemed like a box ticking exercise. Anyone different was forced into changing more towards the norm(boys with long hair, forced to get it cut). Anyone creative generally had no outlet for their creativity, especially with rote learning.

The Schooling system seems to be geared towards getting kids to sit down, shut up and learn to do as you are told...All to get them ready for the working world...Most students will be told to learn off answers for many subjects and have very little understanding of the subject in question...

Genuinely dread the day my kids have to go through this

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 04:11PM

LC2016 wrote: »

Putting the whole school into the hall and allowing them to run riot sounds like a complete safety hazard.
It’s normal for the teacher to put on some sort of movie or something if the children are being kept inside. I know of teachers who might put on children’s news or something educational or do a little movement break inside the classroom after lunch if the children don’t get out.Remember it’s the teacher’s break as well as the children’s break during lunchtime. Usually one or two teachers would be on yard duty or corridor duty if kept inside and expecting them to control hundreds of children running around in an enclosed area is a bit crazy.
It sounds like your child’s teacher was just being nice and trying to keep them entertained during their break and I’m sure the rest of the school day is of educational benefit to your child.

You pretty much hit the nail on the head for me there. My kid was telling me about a Simpson's episode they watched last week, and apparently they were all giggling at the nude scene and a bit of bad language in it too. I think that's annoying me a bit because I just think there's better things they could be doing/watching in a school environment surely?

Out of curiosity, anyone out there with any experience of a staggered school lunch break setup and how that works?

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 04:15PM

I also just remembered that the youtube video in my kids classroom last week was Fortnight, and "only the lads" were interested and apparently the girls were all annoyed. We don't allow that game (yet) in our home so I was taken aback that they're watching the videos in school.

freshpopcorn · 18-01-2020 04:16PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

Thanks for all the insight, really appreciate that. Even organising some games or at least an educational video when they're stuck inside would be preferable alright.

It depends in how proactive the school is.
Teachers are also on there break and organise activities may not be something you'd get a lot onside with.
You might get the odd sports league or quiz but it wouldn't be continues unless all teachers got really on board.
Some days teachers are on supervision duty and others they are in the staff room.
From what I know those who are on supervision basically have to do it and if activities were to be organised a teacher would have to give up there staff room time. If that makes sense.

Stateofyou wrote: »

No, but my family and I spent a considerable time outside Ireland so some things have stuck, we're in a weird transition phase these past couple years

It's just the way you said grades.

If you do go into the school I wouldn't make a big deal out of them not doing much the week before Christmas because you'll essentially be labelled as an awkward parent.

c.p.w.g.w · 18-01-2020 04:17PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

I also just remembered that the youtube video in my kids classroom last week was Fortnight, and "only the lads" were interested and apparently the girls were all annoyed. We don't allow that game (yet) in our home so I was taken aback that they're watching the videos in school.

Fortnight is rated 12's...Are the kids in the class that age?

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 04:20PM

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Fortnight is rated 12's...Are the kids in the class that age?

No, 2-3rd class

LC2016 · 18-01-2020 04:21PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

I also just remembered that the youtube video in my kids classroom last week was Fortnight, and "only the lads" were interested and apparently the girls were all annoyed. We don't allow that game (yet) in our home so I was taken aback that they're watching the videos in school.

Is this bit definite? For the children to be watching YouTube videos during their break, it would require the teacher to stay inside the classroom and to be selecting different ones unless the children get free rein of the computer? Or else does the teacher play one long video?
The only staggered break times I’ve come across is splitting up the infants and 1st-6th. The infants would go out earlier and be supervised by infants teachers. 1st-6th would be split up into different yards at the same break time supervised by different teachers. However, if it rains they would all stay inside the classroom.

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 04:27PM

LC2016 wrote: »

Is this bit definite? For the children to be watching YouTube videos during their break, it would require the teacher to stay inside the classroom and to be selecting different ones unless the children get free rein of the computer? Or else does the teacher play one long video?
The only staggered break times I’ve come across is splitting up the infants and 1st-6th. The infants would go out earlier and be supervised by infants teachers. 1st-6th would be split up into different yards at the same break time supervised by different teachers. However, if it rains they would all stay inside the classroom.

Just asked my kid about the youtube last week, and was told that the Fortnite video was chosen by a few of the boys in the class, and the "teacher's helper" was there in the classroom with them. It was on a computer which plays through a projector.

freshpopcorn · 18-01-2020 04:39PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

Just asked my kid about the youtube last week, and was told that the Fortnite video was chosen by a few of the boys in the class, and the "teacher's helper" was there in the classroom with them. It was on a computer which plays through a projector.

This is something that you can get stopped fairly easy.
The SNA will be told not to do it in future.
They'd probally be better to stick to YouTube kids but that's a little to strict.

marto501 · 18-01-2020 04:46PM

Just a little curious op. You seem to take everything your child tells you as complete truth, but she is a very young child and they do tend to get a bit mixed up when it comes to details. Have you approached the school at all?

Stateofyou · 18-01-2020 04:55PM

marto501 wrote: »

Just a little curious op. You seem to take everything your child tells you as complete truth, but she is a very young child and they do tend to get a bit mixed up when it comes to details. Have you approached the school at all?

No worries, yeah I've needed to come back and clarify some things with my kid so I've definitely kept that in mind alright. Another set of parents we're close to has a child in the 3rd class as well and is getting similar feedback so I think we've got a fairly good idea of details. They were over to ours yesterday evening and we all had a bit of a chat about it. Not sure yet if myself or the wife will raise anything up with the teacher; I thought I might get some wider opinions here first before approaching the school. Would definitely approach from a cautious/ enquiry pov first though, and leave out the holiday stuff as was suggested.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 18-01-2020 04:56PM

marto501 wrote: »

Just a little curious op. You seem to take everything your child tells you as complete truth, but she is a very young child and they do tend to get a bit mixed up when it comes to details. Have you approached the school at all?

Totally agree with this. There are several teachers in our family and the primary school ones would amaze you with the misconceptions parents have gotten by just talking a child's version of events as gospel.

OP needs to simply speak with the teacher, or principal, and forget the school gate mafia or only the child's version. It's no big deal to enquire from the school on the subject.

Frequent t.v. watching in school

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