Is this appropriate for daycare?

Question

My son is 6 years old and is attending a Home Daycare for summer. He likes it and so do I. However, last night he seemed a little uneasy. I asked what was wrong he said that they were watching TV and a 9 yr old girl put on a documentary about Ghost Sightings. He was scared, because he doesn't watch stuff like that, and he told me about one story about a little boy who in the attic and heard voices calling him He said he told teacher but she said it was ok. This morning I talked to the teacher and she acted really surprised that he would get scared about it, and acted liked it was no big deal. Do you think I was over reacting?

Answer 1

The TV should be controlled by the responsible adult and limited to certain channels approved by all parents, and not used as an alternative sitter for your child.  You should speak again with the provider about appropriate channels, ratings, length of time, etc. for your child watching TV.  Like a lot of the other posters, I can't want that kind of stuff, I'm 19.  You were not overreacting at all.  Kids get freaked out really easily, and some things have a lasting effect on the child.  Something that may bother us for a few hours, or keep us up for a night, good bother a child for an extended length of time.  No one should ever mess with any one's fears, or make them seem like no big deal, adults can't even control their fears, and a child should not be put into situations that cause unnecessary fears like a scary TV program.  If your provider can't monitor the TV, maybe it should be turned off or have parental controls set.  Good luck, talk this over again with your provider, be firm let her know you are disappointed.

Answer 2

Overreacting? Yes... a bit...he could have walked away from the tv and done something else. Could've told teacher himself.

This is exactly what happens when people allow their kids to be watched/sat/raised by others. They NEVER do it the way you would want it done. Then throw in a bunch of kids....how can they cater to each one individually?  

Answer 3

idk.. it's ur child u know when something just isn't right.. y dont u get the name of the show and watch it once at home (with out ur lil one) and see what it's like... this is a tuff one... i would say if u really feel uncomfortable about this try and find another daycare... GOOD LUCK!

Answer 4

you know it's definitely not appropriate if your child got scared. You should get the name of the tv program/movie and see if the ratings were appropriate for his age. I think the daycare was wrong, and perhaps they will be more mindful in the future, but this may be a good time for you to speak with your kid about fictional stories and characters. He needs to learn not to be afraid of these things, but he still shouldn't be exposed to it like that either

Answer 5

No you're not over reacting because you're really caring about your preciouse child, to my opinion, I think you should change the daycare that he's going to and tell him that ghost does NOT exist even though they do, but telling him that helps him to feel more comfortable.

And this isn't appropriate for daycare either.

Answer 6

No you're not over reacting. I think it's very awkward that they would play something about a ghost. Just make sure your son knows they aren't real, because he could have bad dreams (etc.).

Answer 7

I don't think you did anything that would suffice as over reacting at all.  If the fact that you told the day care provider that it scared him doesn't change the fact that she allows children to watch those kind of programs I'd actually consider a different day care.  But being a one time event odds are she just made a bad judgment call.  I agree, I don't think it's appropriate for a day care at all.

Answer 8

A little bit yes.  My daughter used to love scary movies and things like that. So, the sitter maybe just *assumed* all little boys liked scary movies or shows.  Now that she knows he doesn't, she'll know for next time that he shouldn't watch such things.  It's not a big deal. Your son is old enough to have not watched it and go do something else.

Answer 9

No, I don't think it is appropriate.  One of the issues that comes up often with home daycare is that the TV isn't well monitored.  The fact that the teacher acted surprised is even more telling.  She isn't very sensitive either to your child or to the needs of the other children in her care.  

Answer 10

Your not overreacting. I still freak out when I watch that stuff. The teacher should be monitering what the kids are watching.

Answer 11

The daycare provider should have offered another quiet activity for children who were not comfortable watching the ghost movie.

She should have done this prior to the start of the movie and allow the children to make their own decision..without them having to ask.

Answer 12

It really isn't age appropriate for a children 6 or 9 to be watching those types of shows. Since you already spoke to the teacher you should go to the director of the daycare and talk to him/ her about what you want and what you dont want your child to watch. They have to listen to you because they have to do what you ask them to do. There is no reason for your child to feel uncomfortable in a place where he is during the day.  

Answer 13

when its your child I think that however you perceive things is fine IT IS YOUR CHILD, Everyone makes mistakes just let her know you don't feel he is ready to watch those types of shows yet. it is your decision and she should respect that and let him do something else if others are watching that or make them watch something more suitable to all.

Answer 14

I don't think you are over reacting. I worked at the boys & girls club all summer and we never watched films unless they were disney movies or something of that nature. I would never put on a film that might even scare any of the children. They should be careful to watch anything, especially when different age groups are present. I would just talk to them and make sure that nothing of that nature was going to be shown again.  

Answer 15

No! that's awful he's 6!! I'm still scared about that and i'm 16! lol

Tell her it's not acceptable, he shouldn't be watching anything like that. and say that if itt happens again, you will change day care centres and spread the word.

Answer 16

I don't think you were overreacting. A 9 year old, muchless a 6 year old doesn't need to be watching "Ghost Sightings" and I imagine there were even younger kids there. The teacher should understand that what might not scare one child, might scare another. Heck, I'm 21 and I still get freaked out watching shows and movies about ghosts lol. There are many more age appropriate things they could have been watching.

Answer 17

I don't think you are overreacting.  I think it is totally inappropriate for them to watch that show in a daycare situation.  I know what show that is and it scares the p**p out of me and I'm 25! There is absolutely no reason to have that type of program showing with such young children around.  If they are watching any tv at all then it should be age appropriate for everyone.

Answer 18

I don't think you were over reacting.  If a child is scared for whatever reason, take it seriously, or it could get worse.  My daughter was scared of a book 'When the Wind Changed' when she was five.  It was about a time when a girl made ugly faces and then the wind changed and her face stayed ugly.  I discussed the fact that it was a story, but she was still terrified, so I talked to the teacher about it.  The teacher was very understanding and got rid of the book.  Children are often terrified of ghosts.  Maybe show your child something about friendly, funny ghosts and talk to him about whatever you believe about ghosts.  Let him see that you take him seriously, but don't let him think that you are worried, otherwise he will become even more scared. If the teacher was surprised that he was scared, she is either very young or she has no empathy for children and I'd wonder why she was teaching.

Answer 19

oh my no. I would have been very very upset. Some parents let their children watch anything and some parents actually take the time to monitor what their kids are watching, it's terrible that the daycare would let that be viewed there. This cannot be a good sign. Is there another daycare you could switch him to with someone that actually has a brain running it?Good luck!

Answer 20

You are not over reacting the home day care shouldn't allow movies like that to be played around young children I don't even watch movie's like that around my daughter, These movies usually have a rating of 15+.

I would talk to them again and find out what else they have been letting them watch.

And maybe change daycares.