The OP didn't reckon with that, though...
It could have been my son, come to think of it - more than once he's led a stripping session with his fellow pals. Wahay!!
As a slightly different take on it (and basing it on my own son's attitude to clothes / hot weather / playgrounds), the scenario could have been one kid shedding his clothes and the other kids following suit (copy-cat stylie) with the teacher going nuts collecting discarded socks and knickers trying to get them to dress themselves.
That could be a useful talent when he gets older.
Well, for the lawyers, I mean grossly negligent, and for the non-lawyers, in this I mean that a teacher just forgets a child, or looses a child which was not necessary. Or does not do anything when a child performs a very dangerous act which eventually leads to an accident. (with other words, does not perform her/his duties as a teacher).
Allowing kids to be in their birthday suits is not a breach of the duty of care by the teachers.
I am 200% sure that the kids were not 'forced' to take their kit off, really. Kids here are used to being free and natural, and will happily follow (birthday) suit. If a 3 to 4 year old child is very self-conscious and un-happy about their natural state, I'd be a lot more worried and wonder 'why?'.
I find it very refreshing that children are allowed to run around naked if they choose to do so. I find it ridiculous that people get their noses put out of joint by the sight of it. I find the paranoia concerning possible paedo's overblown and I find the rules and regulations that are supposed to minimise this so-called risk in some countries are equally ridiculous.
I was recently watching my daughter with her class at the final swimming session of the school year together with a lot of other parents. Naturally, many parents were taking photos of their kids swimming - rightly so as they are proud of their kids and their achievements. I was chatting with one parent about how great it is that you are actually allowed to take photos at a swimming pool without breaking any rules. I think that this says something about society - what exactly I don't know but I personally far prefer a libertarian society to a puritanical one. I mean just think, they'll be wanting to close the cinemas next just in case people start thinking it's OK to laugh in public.
Yet, there are some places where where taking a picture of your 4 year old son ( clothed and in public ) as well as public display of affection for him is expressly prohibited - no, not in Asia nor in Europe but in parts of Australia. For me, CH is refreshingly tolerant and open, and I hope this will continue.
We all agree on that, common sense is enough to follow your thoughts, I am on your side there.
When the situation accures however, the said parent is understandibly not in a calm cold headed mode. Common sense is not the bridge that will make communication possible with a worried and shocked parent when something happens. It's on the emotional level. Mixing up legal issues with emotional state is not uncommon anymore. Hence the need of teachers to act accordingly. A history teacher I know does not organize the trip to Belfort anymore because two parents made his life hell two years ago because they were not trusting the French to secure the fortress for visitors (high cliff). School ruled on that: we don't take chances. We submitted a list of all school trips with the places we take chances under that definition. Two years later, still no answer. What should teachers do? Even following the rules is impossible when organizing a field trip.
I understand safety issues. I even understand and would accept it if a school told me to teach only in my classroom and never ever open a window just in case hitchcock birds fly in and attack students. But schools following the said majority of parents and its own fear as an institution do not come up with a coherent set of rules because absolute safety is just not possible. Or should we cancell science laboratory as well?
And about nackedness: I would worry far more about what outfits parents allow young teenagers to go to school with than kindergarden kiddies on the playground.
Thank you for explaining what a birthday suit is... I was not understanding the answer of jrspet because I was thinking a "birthday suit" is something like a princess pink dress or an over-fancy smoking for children...
Sorry about that Helm - Birthday Suit = naked ie the state that one was born in.
Unfortunately this happens here though. My sister in law was told not to take pics of my niece and nephew at Seebach Badi a few years back. Also I take my little one to baby swimming every week, sometimes another parent or grandparent comes and takes photos, the lady taking the class has to ask us each time if we are Ok with them taking photos!
A) both only inside the political City of Zurich
B) both only HALF a day
I would see the F&R&E thing to be a FULL day between Monday and Friday for ALL of the Canton of Zürich. And other Cantons like Schaffhausen, Thurgau, St. Gallen, Schwyz and Zug free to join
All Badis in the City of Zürich are under the supervision and "guidance" of the Sportamt and so of the government of the City of Zürich. A few, like Tiefenbrunnen, have specified nude zones, but generally swimming or walking around nude is NOT allowed.
Then he is a clever boy, I have seen kids going bonkers for water and actually running into fountains, teachers having no time to actually tell them no, it's not a good idea to jump in with clothes on, hahahaha...
Being a teacher myself and having a kiddo in a creche, I politely dare to disagree. Actually. Some institutions might not have that specified in their directives, but to expose kids in their birthday suit in a public, busy place, might actually be a breach. And I see the point. Beach, friend's back yard, a place where just kids and teachers run around, secluded playground, etc. not a big deal. A public place with certain traffic, I as a parent wouldn't have liked it. And not for prudish reasons, but, since it is uncomfortable for my kiddo, don't want her to get used to lack of privacy, and, I can see her getting dirt all in the wrong places. Blech. She is very confident, in terms of nakedness and her seld body image. But I just think it is a wrong thing to do in public, where kids are exposed to whoever goes by. I see zero reasons. It does not mean I assume the public here or elsewhere would be programmed to endanger my child.
I agree with your that it is a touchy thing. But what if parents are kept purposely not knowing so they cannot intefere, since the school has bad experiences. So the school simply does not tell the folks. It does not feed trust, either. I think, if I remember well, what worked was to give that slip that says your kid will go there and there, give him 5crowns for icecream (not more) and pick up 4pm. It was not really asking for permission. I think kids should get out of school, sure. Even for classes, I believe field trips teach more than theory in the class, if only the fact that I trust my kids to behave so I can take them out. I can also see if parents understand the value, have things explained and actually realize teaching a class in the botanical garden will count towards the final test, they might be more prone to participate, agree and support (as TAs, for example). I love when parents are given their chance to participate in schooling of their kids. Usually they do a fab job. I also love what I did in the US, giving kids "show and tell" time, bringing their parents in class to tell and "teach" about their career, etc. We nag about Yank schooling, the court cases, the profs stripped of their normal human rights, common sense, etc. But there are so many positive things, too. The creativity, out of the classroom times, career days, sports, interdisciplinary subjects, academic olympic games, etc. I still use a lot of this in my classes, it's so fun.
Hi, I am a German...so what?
Btw, I like you signature post....and this is back to you! Cheers!
Sure or not?
Very interesting to read everyone's replies.
Just to clarify, I didn't mean to get anyone 'heated up' with my mere comment. This is my opinion, and this is how i see... I was just concern about any passer by who might take a picture.... (So, tell me what's wrong with me if I care about those kids???) As you know, there are many tourists at the park, and who knows, what they would do with their cameras... that's why i was shocked and disgusted, not because of the kids, but because of those paedophiles who do exist in the world! And what i saw was the teachers were just sitting on the grass, relaxing and not looking up for 'suspicious character'. I guess Switzerland is just so safe, like what most said, that no such thing will happen. So since you said it, ok..period.
I, like everyone,was brought up in a liberal country, had lived in the west as well as the east since young. I knew of both cultures, and i knew of how each country differs. In the kampong of some Asia countries it is common to see the kids swim naked enjoying by the river or at the waterfall. No shames, no guilt, just fun!
Well, i let my girls and boys playing naked in the pool, but it is under my supervision. Whatever the school does, there must be a good link and communication between the teachers and parents. I dont' see anything wrong. With the proper communication, any mishaps can be prevented, thus the trust comes in.
For those who don't mind this, and for those who mind, let it be what you prefer. Let's not fuss over my comments. Period.
Haha.. how much do you know the people there in Singapore? It is a multiculture , multi racial country. Yes, I have spent most time in Spore, and that makes me more Asian.... I am proud!
Enough to forget your native tongue, evidently:
German , you say?
Too naive to say that Germans don't know French!
Anyway...long story to explain why, ....and not important.