I just enrolled DS in an AMI-accredited preschool. The school has an excellent reputation, great parent involvment, long-term teachers, beautiful campus. When I interviewed and observed, the admissions counselor told me that the kids were allowed 1 movie during Friday afterschool care. I'm not totally opposed to TV, so I didn't think this was a big deal.
I went back to work, so I can't pick DS up until 4:30-5:00. School officially ends at 3:00. After 3:00 is considered "extended care." Right now is considered Summer School, so there is more flexibility than during the school year.
The first week, the kids were watching Disney movies twice when I picked DS up. Mind you, this was the week of July 4, so it was a 4 day week to begin with. 50% of the afternoons were spent watching Lion King and Stuart Little. I didn't make a stink, because I figured that the holiday week was different.
The next week, on Mon and Tues, DS was again parked in front of the TV. I decided to say something at that point, so I asked the admissions counselor if this was a regular occurrence during the summer only, or if this was to be expected during the year. She said that TV was a once-a-week treat on Fridays. She said she would address it with the staff. Next few days, the kids were playing. TV came back on Friday. No biggie.
My issue now is the quality of the shows and whether they are age appropriate. When I picked DS up during the Lion King, it was the scene when Scar kills Simba's father. I don't want to explain that to my son at 3! Last Friday, it was Aladdin. DS was jumping around with his fork at dinnertime and telling me it was a sword. Then he was a "monkey with a sword", making a clear reference to Aladdin. I don't let him watch violence and he's being exposed to it at school.
What would be your next steps? I'm thinking of proposing to buy some Scholastic books on video, which are the sort of stuff DS watches at home. I also thought about asking for a list of movies to be shown, so I can leave work early on those days if the content sucks. Any other thoughts?
I went back to work, so I can't pick DS up until 4:30-5:00. School officially ends at 3:00. After 3:00 is considered "extended care." Right now is considered Summer School, so there is more flexibility than during the school year.
The first week, the kids were watching Disney movies twice when I picked DS up. Mind you, this was the week of July 4, so it was a 4 day week to begin with. 50% of the afternoons were spent watching Lion King and Stuart Little. I didn't make a stink, because I figured that the holiday week was different.
The next week, on Mon and Tues, DS was again parked in front of the TV. I decided to say something at that point, so I asked the admissions counselor if this was a regular occurrence during the summer only, or if this was to be expected during the year. She said that TV was a once-a-week treat on Fridays. She said she would address it with the staff. Next few days, the kids were playing. TV came back on Friday. No biggie.
My issue now is the quality of the shows and whether they are age appropriate. When I picked DS up during the Lion King, it was the scene when Scar kills Simba's father. I don't want to explain that to my son at 3! Last Friday, it was Aladdin. DS was jumping around with his fork at dinnertime and telling me it was a sword. Then he was a "monkey with a sword", making a clear reference to Aladdin. I don't let him watch violence and he's being exposed to it at school.
What would be your next steps? I'm thinking of proposing to buy some Scholastic books on video, which are the sort of stuff DS watches at home. I also thought about asking for a list of movies to be shown, so I can leave work early on those days if the content sucks. Any other thoughts?
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