Friday, December 22, 2006

How to upset Parents..



Now here's a sad little Christmas story that I found really quite difficult to believe or understand:

In France we have a wonderful institution called the Maternelle, a non obligatory school, for want of a better word for children aged 3 to 5 or 6. The kids don't have a formal education until the third year when they start prereading exercises but rather they learn through play and music and are socialised; taught how to queue, yes really, and how to walk hand in hand in a crocodile and how to share. I could go on and on about how marvellous they are but that's not the point....

Most children love being there because it's a safe environment in which to start moving away from maman.

A friend told me that her son's Maternelle teacher had decided to ban Father Christmas from the classroom this year. Her motives weren't entirely clear as there are no children in her class from other religions and, in any case, Father Christmas isn't a religious figure. She was also quoted as saying that in her opinion Christmas was becoming over commercialised so she was making a stand against it.. Try explaining that to a class of 4 year olds. And their parents. Particularly their parents.

So this is the situation; there are around 80 children in this school the majority of whom were partying with Father Christmas yesterday and this one class was going out for a walk with their teacher.......though they were allowed to have a bag of sweets to take home at the end.

I just wonder how much goodwill there was between that teacher and her 4 year old pupils and their understandably cross parents.

13 comments:

Open Grove Claudia said...

That is sad. While I understand and agree with the teacher's motives - it's not really all about her, now is it?

Sarah said...

I would have complained to the Directrice. You can't have most of the school having fun and one class sitting noses pressed against the window. What a French cow!

In my son's class, the theme this term was Africa, and they made tree decorations with animal prints. It looks marvellous!

Today is their Christmas lunch and Christmas gouter where I'm sure there'll be a fun Santa being all jolly and festive.

Some people are such party-poopers!

Sarah said...

Anyway, I'd just like to wish you and your readers a very Merry Christmas, with health and happiness for 2007.

I just hope Mrs Partypooper's husband (if she has one which is unlikely) gives her a pink plastic cruet set for Christmas that he picked up cheap in La Foire Fouille.

Unknown said...

Beautiful photo.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Thanks for visiting my site.
I'll be back to yours.

tut-tut said...

How awful for the children.

What is the "blogs by women" icon to the right all about?

JP (mom) said...

What a Scrooge! Quelle domage. JP

Shaz said...

What a bleep bleep bleep damn bleep. Sorry thats just to questionable.
I am not one to stand by usually and be accepting of what I believe to be wrong.
I hope someone takes this further. Poor little babes so cruel and heartless looks to me the grinch is alive and well in France.

Merry Xmas Angela, xxx

Pam said...

Just want to wish you and your family a very Happy Holiday!

Cheers,
Pam

Sarah said...

I spoke to my youngest's school directeur about this, and he echoed our thoughts viz what a spoilsport, and the staff can't be very cohesive if they couldn't convince the partypooper to see the error of her ways.

deedee said...

Humbug to that teacher but Merry Christmas to you.

Betty Carlson said...

This sounds almost sadistic! I wonder if the teacher speaks English and reads your blog...Joyeux Noël!

Anonymous said...

The teacher sounds mean and sour
And she has no right to impose her bah humbug opinions on the little ones
Christmas is FOR the little ones, n'est-ce pas?

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! I hope you had time to relax and spend time with those you love. Salut!