Using television to 'care' for children in school

Yorky

Does anyone have any objection to this? It seems that whenever it is too wet to play outside, the children are put in the 'care' of the television with one teacher supervising multiple classrooms so they spend the time unsupervised apart from an occasional check by the teacher on supervision duty .

Has anyone else a problem with this and/or have they ever challenged it?

I don't like this for two reasons: they go to school to learn not watch television and the lack of supervision.

Washout

I have a huge problem with this...
my child hasnt been going to pre school yet but i hear that they put the kids in front of a tv for 2 to 3 hours a day? is this true??

deisemum

Yorky wrote:

Does anyone have any objection to this? It seems that whenever it is too wet to play outside, the children are put in the 'care' of the television with one teacher supervising multiple classrooms so they spend the time unsupervised apart from an occasional check by the teacher on supervision duty .

Has anyone else a problem with this and/or have they ever challenged it?

I've more of a problem with children left sitting at their desk at lunch break (not allowed off their seat) and supervised by a couple of 6th class pupils

dame

Washout wrote:

I have a huge problem with this...
my child hasnt been going to pre school yet but i hear that they put the kids in front of a tv for 2 to 3 hours a day? is this true??

Some pre or playschools or creches do have tv's and let the kids watch a dvd most days. Check this out before you choose where to send your child. There are no tv's at all in the creche/montessori attends.

dame

Yorky wrote:

Does anyone have any objection to this? It seems that whenever it is too wet to play outside, the children are put in the 'care' of the television with one teacher supervising multiple classrooms so they spend the time unsupervised apart from an occasional check by the teacher on supervision duty .

Has anyone else a problem with this and/or have they ever challenged it?

I don't like this for two reasons: they go to school to learn not watch television and the lack of supervision.

Teachers need a lunch-break too. If it's too wet to go outside and they're let out then they'll be wet for the afternoon and parents and children won't like that either. If the tv is used for something appropriate and keeps the kids entertained for a half hour at lunchtime then how is that such a bad thing? Do you think they should be taught during lunch?

ArthurDent

It's raining outside - the kids are in their class and a DVD is on for them - don't see the big issue tbh. I have put a dvd on for my kids at home if its too miserable to be outside - and they are having a break. What would you prefer happens. Re supervision - I'm sure the same number of people supervise the children inside as would do if they were outside - if you are unhappy about level of supervision or what they are doing - how about volunteering to go in and give a hand.

Concorde

Yorky wrote:

Does anyone have any objection to this? It seems that whenever it is too wet to play outside, the children are put in the 'care' of the television with one teacher supervising multiple classrooms so they spend the time unsupervised apart from an occasional check by the teacher on supervision duty .

Has anyone else a problem with this and/or have they ever challenged it?

I don't like this for two reasons: they go to school to learn not watch television and the lack of supervision.

Woman, you need to learn to relax and allow your children to be children.
If it bothers you so much, why don't you bring your children home during luchtime on wet days and continue stimulating their little minds?

Ayla

Whoa, easy there posters...the OP never said whether his/her concerns were with watching tv during a rainy lunch period. For all we know his/her concerns could have been with a longer timeframe...

I think this issue depends on a number of issues:

1) What age group are the children?
2) How long would the tv time be for?
3) What are they watching on the tv?
4) Considering the Irish climate, which is frequently rainy, is the tv exclusively used, or do the teachers sometimes do other indoor activities?

Without these details I don't think it right to form any sort of opinion yet.

Kildrought

This is a maritime climate - it rains a lot - that's what hats and coats are for.

Children are not soluble in rain; other than very heavy downpours/ thunderstorms (and that's what the bike shed was always handy for ) , they should be able to go out as normal.

What did we do when we couldn't go outside at break time? We played games inside. Children don't need TV, they do need to socialise and play.

RIRI

Kildrought wrote:

Children are not soluble in rain; other than very heavy downpours/ thunderstorms (and that's what the bike shed was always handy for ) , they should be able to go out as normal.

This made me smile - I always get funny looks for taking the little man out in a raincoat & wellies in the rain.

Linford

Washout wrote:

I have a huge problem with this...
my child hasnt been going to pre school yet but i hear that they put the kids in front of a tv for 2 to 3 hours a day? is this true??

My daughter is in creche. Its a big place, with babies to pre school to after school supervision. There is no TV in the place.

The HSE carried out a review of a number of creches last year and some of the creches were criticised for various different faults. One of them was having small children watching TV. So as far as I know TV is a big no no in creches and pre school.

simu

Kildrought wrote:

What did we do when we couldn't go outside at break time? We played games inside. Children don't need TV, they do need to socialise and play.

I agree. Games are a break from the academic subjects and they teach lots of valuable skills, including social skills. Much better than staring at some DVD. I'd complain to the school about TV.

oh well

I'd object to the school using the tv on wet days as well. in our school there are loads of jigsaws, board games, bingo, etc etc which are used on wet days at break time. the games are rotated around the classrooms (age appropriate) so that they don't become bored with them considering the number of wet days we could have any winter. Sticking on the tv is a very lazy way of supervising the children and would be absolutely nothing to have stimulated children for the after lunch school session. Parents have offered on numerous occasions to help out at lunch times to let the teachers adequate breaks but we aren't wanted. principal keeps muttering something about insurance. Our children are the most insured kids in the universe. insurance for school, gaa, soccer, girl guides/scouts etc all have their own insurance as well.

loismustdie

it's ridiculous to put kids in front of a tv. they can read or play games, even inside. or they could even go out and have mud fights but tv is not good

dame

Perhaps the school is very disadvantaged and doesn't have enough games etc to share around and keep all kids entertained? Or maybe they have a particularly rowdy or confrontational bunch who couldn't be left alone in a classroom without something keeping all the kids attention.

Also, we don't know what they're watching on this tv. Maybe it's a TnaG kids program so it would actually be helping their Irish, or some other educational while being entertaining kids thing. If that's the case then it's not so bad is it? We can't just be completely against it without knowing what's shwon and for how long etc, if the kids get their full quota of teaching besides and their regular PE lessons.

There are also some parents out there who are very hypocritical. I'm not saying that anyone here is but there are people who expect the school to do everything for their child, for example be responsible for all their exercise needs while they feed them crap at home and let them veg in front of a computer or telly all evening and weekend. There are mothers who stay at home and live near anough to walk but still drive their kids to school every day. There are parents who complain about their children getting too much or too little homework etc. There are parents who will ask the teacher not to teach Irish for as long every day because it'll be useless for their kids when they grow up. There are parents who ask if the teacher can do less maths every day because little Johnny is feeling under pressure and doesn't like maths. Then there are those who say they really don't think theirchild needs remedial help or that they don't want their child getting this help because they don't want them leaving the classroom and missing something important or feeling like a dunce for needing extra help. There are parents who ask if their child can move up a class because he/she is so advanced and is really well beyond all the other kids. There are parents who complain to the principal that the kids do too much art & craft and singing/music and could they not leave that alone and do all academic subjects. There are some parents who join or form parents councils and make it their mission to change the school and implement all sorts of new reforms, when to be honest a lot of them just have too much time on their hands and should let those who have been trained and know what they're doing get on with the job.

I'm not a teacher by the way but I have many family and relatives who are. The things some parents will do and will find to complain about are just shocking.

deisemum

Our school organised a no uniform day and asked every child to bring in €2 and then the school went and got board games etc for wet day activities.

As it happens at that time I won a substantial amount of vouchers for Smyths but I used some of it and got a number of boardgames for each of my boys class

The children enjoy playing board games and puzzles.

Dame's raised a good point about not knowing what they were watching.

dame

deisemum wrote:

Our school organised a no uniform day and asked every child to bring in €2 and then the school went and got board games etc for wet day activities.

That's a good idea.

kashi

As someone who works in a school, you're making it sound like all schools do this. The children need a break, and as someone pointed out so do the teachers. I can tell you trying to supervise 30 rowdy children even playing board games can be hard. There is a huge difference from trying to supervise that number from supervising 2 or 3 as most parents would at home. As for the kids not being allowed out.......it varies from school to school, but some parents do not want their children to be allowed out in even drizzle. I often tell the children who would rather be inside on "soft" days that the rain will make them grow, or that they won't melt. The attitude tends to be let them out as much as possible in most schools.

Children being the wonderful creatures they are, find it hard to sit still all day, and yes ideally board games are a good way to go. But games that involve moving around are not allowed due to the risk of a child being hurt, (e.g tripping over a school bag) not to mention insurance! Before I worked in a school I had no idea of how much work it is. The teachers work so hard, and they are well entitled to their break, even if it is only to grab a cup of tea and sandwich before returning to their class. So if the teachers take turns supervising 2 classes so they can get their break for half of the time they are entitled to, then I can't see the problem. I'm quite sure most parents would not give up their break for the whole day. So why should teachers?

It's not a black and white thing, and most teachers would say that TV is not something that they use all the time. They can't due to being so much to teach in the curriculum (it's enormous!) but the odd wet day during break will not affect kids. In fact tv is as popular as art! And most tv is watched at home not in the school. I don't know about creches, so I won't comment about that. As a future parent though, I wouldn't mind my child watching tv at creche say for 15 mins a week as a treat. I might change my mind though in the future lol.

BostonB

I don't have a problem with mine watching a bit of TV as long as its not for too long. Our creche sometimes puts a kids movie on while the kids are waiting to be collected.

Ayla

kashi wrote:

But games that involve moving around are not allowed due to the risk of a child being hurt, (e.g tripping over a school bag) not to mention insurance!

How pathetic is that? What a sad world we live in that kids aren't even allowed to play inside for fear that some over-anxious parent will cause a fit if their kid so much as bumps an elbow.

We all played games (indoor and out), hung upside down in playgrounds and played chase...How we all made it through childhood is beyond me?!:rolleyes:

Nevyn

well how over-anxious is it to get sent home a form to insure your child with a groups scheme for if they injure themself travel to school, while in the school and on school trips ?

Ayla

Thaedydal wrote:

well how over-anxious is it to get sent home a form to insure your child with a groups scheme for if they injure themself travel to school, while in the school and on school trips ?

Sad, very sad.

Nevyn

Well the schools insurance took a huge hit when a child tripped and not only broke thier leg but managed to shatter teeth as well which will mean years of dentistry, so they push for each child to have thier own insurance.

beaushalloe

Washout wrote: »

I have a huge problem with this...
my child hasnt been going to pre school yet but i hear that they put the kids in front of a tv for 2 to 3 hours a day? is this true??

OMG, please dont generalise. in any creche worth their salt they woul never use a tv a substitute staff, it has to be seen as an occasional treat, it is also expected by the pre school services officer in the health board to be ran on a rota system with records maintained.

In regard to the tv at break times on rainy days, for gods sake give the kids a break they cant learn all the time its thier lunch time. what half an hour...Jeeeez.

As for the insurance thing, this is the age we live in, no running , no jumping, etc etc. sad but a nessecity in our current litigation population.

Creachadóir

You'd imagine that schools were putting children in front of a tv for the day! They have a ten minute break and a 30 minute break. During these breaks they have a lunch to eat. It would be unusual for the children to stay indoors for both breaks. The maximum amount of time that they could spend watching tv is about 20 mins.

Of course they can't jump and run around the classroom. As everyone knows, classrooms are full of desks with sharp edges, school-bags etc. It is not a place that is suitable for random unstructured play.

Most schools have board games for children to play during wet days (at lunch time!).

The same supervision time-table is used on wet days and dry days. The board of management approves this time-table, and teachers have to do a certain number of hours in order to get paid. The supervision levels have to meet the needs of the insurance company or else the board of management would be liable if an accident occured due to lack of supervision. Therefore, you can be sure that the children are supervised at all times. They are not left supervised by 6th class children.

When 6th class children are in the class, it is generally so that the younger children feel they are being watched as the supervising teacher stands in different door-ways, while always being within ear-shot and about less than a minute from the classroom. The older children usually enjoy this responsibility and it is done on a voluntary basis. Teachers often go without a break from the start of the day until the end(on days when they are on yard-duty). It is a job where you are always on your feet, moving, talking and using a lot of energy.

Creachadóir

The individual insurance usually covers the children for accidents that occur at home also. And many parents have been very pleased that they paid that 7Euro when their child injured themselves at home, or playing football at the weekend etc.

Washout

beaushalloe wrote: »

OMG, please dont generalise. in any creche worth their salt they woul never use a tv a substitute staff, it has to be seen as an occasional treat, it is also expected by the pre school services officer in the health board to be ran on a rota system with records maintained.

In regard to the tv at break times on rainy days, for gods sake give the kids a break they cant learn all the time its thier lunch time. what half an hour...Jeeeez.

As for the insurance thing, this is the age we live in, no running , no jumping, etc etc. sad but a nessecity in our current litigation population.

ok i did say 2-3 hours a day. which to me would be too much.

I have no problem with up to 1 hour per day....heck i sit down with my child to watch a bit of dora and peppa but no more than an hour a day.

abi2007

my daughters crech does this too, i don't mind it at all. she spends the morning in montessori and plays outside after dinner. then does craft after that and then they have their tea about half four. After tea they put a dvd on and kids relax. its a long and tiring day for them an hour in front of the tv does them no harm.

smirkingmaurice

had to move my kid from one creche where he said they were watching oprah during the day, absolutely incomprehensible and irresponsible behaviour for a creche owner. I gave her my mind but the silly little pig said that my kid was lying, the NERVE

KIVES

smirkingmaurice wrote: »

had to move my kid from one creche where he said they were watching oprah during the day, absolutely incomprehensible and irresponsible behaviour for a creche owner. I gave her my mind but the silly little pig said that my kid was lying, the NERVE

Seriously, not all Creches are that irresponsible - my sons at an age where he demands to watch 'The Afternoon Show' while he's attending the afternoon part - counselling may be needed - I thought 'Live AT Three' was bad back in the day but j'es...Thelma Mansfield was a far better rolemodel than the red haired one on 'The Afternoon Show'

SerialComplaint

dame wrote: »

Some pre or playschools or creches do have tv's and let the kids watch a dvd most days. Check this out before you choose where to send your child.

I wonder if the DVDs purchased are licenced for use in a creche, or do the kids get to see the 'only for use at home - not for use in any business' warning before the DVD comes on?